This week as we begin dwelling in the Word, we have a scripture from the Old Testament…
Micah 6:1-8 New International Version
1 Listen to what the Lord says: “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say.
2 “Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.
3 “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.
4 I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam.
5 My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”
6 With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
I invite you to dwell with this passage this week. Avoid the temptation to explain this passage. The invitation is to dwell with this passage and see what God has for you in this passage.
Read this passage, pray this passage, sit quietly with this passage, sing this passage, and wait upon the Lord.
It is my hope as you dwell with this short passage, it can be written on your heart that it becomes a part of who you are, and you can carry this passage with you through the day.
Let’s talk about it on Sunday.
I have two additional requests for the next four weeks…
1. When we do something out of the norm on a Sunday morning, we run the risk of it being awkward if a visitor comes that Sunday. I will do my best to explain the process each week so it doesn’t feel awkward for any visitors,and I would ask the “regulars” at Marion to be as hospitable as possible to any visitors in our space the next few weeks, don’t assume someone else will make them feel welcome and a part of the group.
- It was suggested to me that during the dwell series, we could enter the worship space in a quiet fashion. We can use that time to center ourselves, quiet our hearts, and enjoy the pre-service music. I thought it was a good suggestion to help us enter a more contemplative state. I don’t want to stifle any conversations and fellowship that happens on a Sunday morning, and there is always plenty of time after the service for making those connections.
I appreciate your consideration and participation with these two details.
~Pastor Dustin
