"This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me;
In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.
MARK 7:6-7
God's Word must come first in everything you do. It surpasses all traditions, doctrines, and laws created by men. It guides and sustains you, showing you the right path to take. It is the final authority, settles every matter, and sets the captives free. It is the sword of the Spirit, living and active, pierces to the core, transforms and sanctifies.
Worship the Lord with your whole heart. Give Him the praise that He deserves. Lift up your hands and bow down your knees. Offer Him your life as a living sacrifice. He is the Lover of your soul and the Giver of life. He is the Healer and Comforter, the Friend and Father.
1 When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, 2 they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. 3 (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. 4 And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) 5 So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” 6 He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 7 In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. 8 You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” 9 He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! 10 For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. 11 Yet you say, ‘If a person says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban’” (meaning, dedicated to God), 12 you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. 13 You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.” (Mark 7:1-13)
The Lord listens to your prayer and petitions as His servant. He hears your voice and knows your heart. He cares for you and loves you with an everlasting love. He answers you according to His will and wisdom, provides for you and protects you with His mighty power. He invites you to draw near and abide in Him and forgives you and cleanses you with His precious blood. He blesses you and favors you with His kindness, strengthens you and empowers you with His Spirit. He is the God of all grace and peace, the God of all hope and joy, the God of all mercy and holiness, the God of all glory and majesty. Keep the Lord's covenant with your whole heart. Obey His commands and follow His ways. Remember His deeds and celebrate His goodness. Trust His plans and submit to His purposes.
22 Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of the whole community of Israel, and stretching forth his hands toward heaven, 23 he said, “Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below; you keep your covenant of mercy with your servants who are faithful to you with their whole heart. 27 “Can it indeed be that God dwells on earth? If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain you, how much less this temple which I have built! 28 Look kindly on the prayer and petition of your servant, O Lord, my God, and listen to the cry of supplication which I, your servant, utter before you this day. 29 May your eyes watch night and day over this temple, the place where you have decreed you shall be honored; may you heed the prayer which I, your servant, offer in this place. 30 Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer in this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling and grant pardon.” (1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30)
Dwell in the house of the Lord. Enjoy His presence and His grace. Worship His name and His glory. Learn His word and His truth. He is the God of the house and the Builder of the temple. Let your heart and flesh cry out for the living God. Seek His face and His presence with all your being. Rejoice in His salvation and His grace with all your joy. He is the God of the saved and the Giver of the eternal life. He is the Gracious and Merciful, the Saving God.
3 My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 4 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young—Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God! 5 Blessed they who dwell in your house; continually they praise you. 10 O God, behold our shield and look upon the face of your anointed. 11 I had rather one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (Psalm 84:3, 4, 5, 10, 11)
Lord Jesus, You are the word made flesh. Help me to always put Your word above all things in this world. Keep my mind and heart focused on You alone and not easilly persuaded by worldly doctrines and traditions. Today, I humbly worship You with my whole heart and give You the praise that You deserve. Thank You so much for guiding and sustaining me, and always showing me the right path to take. Thank You for healing me and making me whole again so that I may be fit for the purpose and journey that You have set for me. All glory and honor are Yours now and forever. Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Mystery of Jesus
THE TRADITION OF THE ELDERS
Mark 7:1-23
The Reign of Solomon:
SOLOMON'S PRAYER
1 Kings 8:22-66
Third Book of Psalms 73-89
PRAYER OF A PILGRIM TO JERUSALEM
Psalm 84:1-13
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Bing Chat
