Thought for the day
It is said that during a service at an old synagogue in Eastern Europe, when the Shema prayer was said, half the congregants stood up and half remained sitting.
The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up.
The rabbi, learned as he was in the Law and commentaries, didn't know what to do. His congregation suggested that he consult a housebound 98-year-old man, who was one of the original founders of their temple. The rabbi hoped the elderly man would be able to tell him what the actual temple tradition was, so he went to the nursing home with a representative of each faction of the congregation.
The one whose followers stood during Shema said to the old man, "Is it ourtradition to stand during this prayer?"
The old man answered, "No,that isnot our tradition."
The one whose followers sat asked, "Is it our tradition to sit during Shema?" The old man answered, "No, that is not our tradition."
Then the rabbi said to the old man, "The congregants fight all the time, yelling at each other about whether they should sit or stand..."
The old man interrupted, exclaiming, "THAT is our tradition!"I think I've known some congregations with that same tradition!:-)
Seriously, though, what is our tradition? What is it that we have done over and over until it is what we are known for? Is it our posture in prayer? Or is it our fussing and arguing with one another?
Traditions of men are to be renounced when they oppose the commandments of God (Mark 7:9), but tradition is nothing more than we way we normally do things. Wouldn't it be great to have a tradition of loving service to God? Or a tradition of unity?
The church in Thessalonica had a great tradition. Paul speaks of it as he opens his second letter to them:"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure." (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)
What's your tradition?
Verses
1 John 5:4
because all that has derived its Life from God masters the world. This is the power that has mastered the world -- our faith!
Exodus 23:25
You must worship the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless your bread and your water. I will take away sickness from you.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Never give in then, my dear brothers, never admit defeat; keep on working at the Lord's work always, knowing that, in the Lord, you cannot be laboring in vain.
1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker sex, since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life--so that nothing may hinder your prayers.
2 Corinthians 9:6
Remember the saying: "A stingy sower will reap a meager harvest, and a generous sower will reap a bumper crop."
Prayer
Father, we place our complete trust in You, for You are a faithful, trustworthy, and loving God. As we feed on Your faithfulness and live by Your righteousness revealed to us through the Scriptures we find ourselves delighting in Your presence. We also delight in You when we sing praises, when we give ourselves in service to others, and most especially when we commune with You in prayer. May the desires of our heart bring delight to Yours as we conform ourselves to Your will and rid ourselves of that which lures us from the safe pasture You have abundantly supplied for those who believe. Amen.
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