Day 4 | January 9 | John 4 & Psalm 19

By Todd Stephenson

In John 4, we are introduced to a revival that occurred in the town of Sycar. The scripture helps us to see that through jealousy and human frailty, the Holy Spirit is able to spread God’s love and bring about belief that leads to salvation. Jesus’ exercise of unconditional love and use of curiosity brought about an opening to share the gospel in a deeply personal way to a woman who wasn’t used to being seen, perhaps never. In the story, we get to see how God’s truth spoken in love has the power to change everything. This idea of God’s message and instructions being powerful and transformational are magnified in Psalm 19. Here, the psalmist invites us to acknowledge the creation itself speaks of God’s true nature and that his instructions are rich with blessing for those who listen and revere them.

• Note how the jealousy of the Pharisees in verse one and Jesus’ weariness in verse six led to a “God appointment” for this woman and the town of Sycar. What is your openness to God using your weakness and the brokenness of others for the gospel? Do you normally see weakness and brokenness as opportunity or obstacle? What would happen if you embraced Jesus’ perspective?
• Jesus speaking to a Samaritan and also a woman was a radical departure from the religious and social culture of his day and communicated profound acceptance and worth to this woman. What break from the social norms and expectations would you be willing to break to reach those that are lost and in need?
• What are the several mentioned blessings on God’s commands and instructions from Psalm 19? How might your life be changed if you simply spent more time pondering them?

For a large part of my life, I spent a lot of time in shame and guilt beating myself up with judgemental words because of my mistakes. I wasn’t okay with my weakness and brokenness because I was convinced it disqualified me and caused my heavenly father to be angry and frustrated with me. It was transformational for me to realize that not only was he not disappointed but that he actually expected me to make loads of mistakes (2 Cor. 3:4-6); after all, that is what children do. You see, what I realize now but didn’t see then, when I was focused on shame and guilt I was focused all on me and not the needs of anyone around me. This focus on shame and guilt was keeping me not only from receiving his love, it was keeping me from loving others. Because Jesus embraced the brokenness of this life instead of judging and rejecting himself, he was present and able to see this woman’s need and share the love of the Father with her. And look at the results! My encouragement to you today is to change your mind about your weaknesses and mistakes. Embrace the truth that God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (2 Cor. 9:8).

Father, I am amazed at how you use everything, including all my weaknesses and mistakes, to accomplish your good and perfect will. I am so thankful that none of my mistakes are a surprise to you and that they have all been made a part of your plan according to 2 Corinthians 9:8. I don’t want to listen to guilt and shame any more about my mistakes, past, present or future. Your word says in Romans 8:1 there is no condemnation for me because I belong to Jesus. Today, I change my mind and embrace the truth that you are not disappointed in me and that you are using all of it for your good. Help me to believe this truth in my heart and begin to thank you instead. Open my eyes to see the opportunities around me and share the good news to those you put in my path. I pray all this is the name of Jesus. Amen