Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

⁷ In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. ⁸ Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. ⁹ And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, ¹⁰ being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

¹¹ About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, ¹³ for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

 

Reflection:

1. Chapter at a Glance: With Jesus as our High Priest, we can approach God’s throne with confidence.  The author once again warned against apostasy and encouraged them to grow into maturity.
2. The author was upset that his readers had not realized what a wonderful High Priest they had in Jesus and gone on to maturity.  He explained that the way to become mature in faith is by constantly using the truth God has revealed to distinguish good from evil.
3. The difference between “milk” and “meat” is not between a little knowledge and a lot.  The difference is found in the way we process Scripture.  For those who hear but do not apply Scripture, the truths they know are milk. But to those who hear and apply the Word of God, the same truths become solid and sustaining meat.
4. How would you describe your spiritual appetite now?  Why?  How would you improve your spiritual appetite?  Pray for a sustained hunger for God’s word to satisfy your spiritual development.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 26:1-4

¹ Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
    so honor is not fitting for a fool.
² Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
    a curse that is causeless does not alight.
³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
    and a rod for the back of fools.
⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly,
    lest you be like him yourself.