November 19 | I Peter 2:1-10
DAILY READING:
I Peter 2:1-10
For more help use this Bible Study method
REFLECTION
Building on the Chosen Stone
by David Thompson
The reading for today tells us to "...rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander..." and instead we are to be like newborn babies craving pure spiritual milk so we can grow up big and strong in our faith. If we do this, we will be "the living stones" that will be valuable to Jesus as He builds His Church.
A number of years ago, I spent a summer by myself in the rainforests of Costa Rica. Many a time, I walked through the forest and across streams that the constant rain had put into my path. As I walked, I was careful to pick rocks that were not covered by moss and seemed to be well situated in the bed of the stream. I would stick my foot out and touch the rock and once convinced that it was safe, I ventured out and put my full weight on it. I would like to tell you that I always made the right choices, but my wet shoes and pants would tell a different story. In building, it is the same.
Now I am no builder, but am smart enough to understand that a building is only as strong, straight, and true as the beginning "cornerstone." In today's passage, we learn that the builders rejected Jesus as the best cornerstone for building with. They laid Him aside and chose a lesser stone. God on the other hand lifted Jesus up as the cornerstone of the church and uses all the above newborns (us) who have grown up strong as "living stones" to build His Church.
We read on to see that Jesus, God's cornerstone, will be held precious by all of us that believe and hold Him as precious. However, Jesus will be like those mossy rocks and unsteady stones and cause non-believers to stumble and fall. We however will proceed victoriously. The reading ends with the following words, "Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
God, help us to lay aside all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander, and anything else that stands in our way of growing in You. We begin as babes taking in your Word and continue to grow into "living stones" that can be used to connect to You and build a great living Church. Help us this day to commit to you 100%. Thank you, Amen.
PRAYER PRACTICE
Lectio – Read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.
