Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
SATURDAY, September 12 (John Henry Hobart)
Matthew 3:13-17. ...with whom I am well pleased.
These words were spoken by God about Jesus at his baptism. It is something every child wants to hear from his parents, teacher, and pastor. It is something we seek as adults from our boss, our peers, and our lover.
Occasionally we come across someone who seems to want to tick as many people off as possible. But that is the exception. Most people want to be liked, and in order for that to happen we need to please. Pleasing often means doing what others want us to do.
But what happens when doing the right thing is not pleasing? When God spoke these words, he knew Jesus would not be pleasing to many whose paths he would cross. And so he gave him the gift of knowing that whatever life held, God, his Father, was pleased.
We, too, receive this gift at our baptism. By accepting Jesus, we please God. God in turn sends us his Holy Spirit to empower us to do the right thing. And if that puts us at cross purposes with the world, we can be comforted knowing that God is still well pleased with us.
PRAY for the Diocese of Southern Brazil (Brazil)
Ps 55 * 138, 139:1-17(18-23); 1 Kings 18:41-19:8; Philippians 3:17-4:7
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