Monday: I Samuel 8:1-11Tuesday: I Samuel 8:12-20, 11:14-15Wednesday: Psalm 138:1-8Thursday: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18Friday: 2 Corinthians 5:1-5Saturday: Mark 3:20-27Sunday: Mark 3:28-35
This is not the week to imagine that faithful people always have harmonious families, or always see God’s will in the same way. Samuel is ready to retire; his sons are unfit to take up his work, and the people, against his advice, insist on having a king. Jesus’ family is worried that he’s gone crazy, and when they show up to take him home, he turns away. Paul and the Psalmist reflect on the importance of not losing heart in the face of struggle. Their prayer is ours, “O Lord, do not forsake the work of your hands.”