We Wonder

Esther 4:8-17

Today’s symbol is Esther’s crown. Queen Esther bravely protected God’s people when they were living far away in another land.

I wonder how Esther felt as she fasted and prepared to go in to see the king? The story doesn’t mention God’s name: I wonder if she felt confident that God was with her and her people?

I wonder what it was like to be one of God’s people living in Persia? To know that you were different, and that this was not your home? To know that powerful people might want to hurt you for being different?

I wonder if I have ever felt like an outsider, or like I was different from the people around me? I wonder if I felt like my story wasn’t their story? What do I want to say to God about that feeling?

I wonder if I have ever felt like God put me somewhere for a reason? I wonder if there are people or places in my life right now where God has good work for me to do? Can I ask God to help me trust him to do loving work through me?

In this story, God’s people are scattered. They are living in a far away land, with a foreign king. I wonder if they were hoping for God to return and save them again? As I wait in Advent, can I hope today for Jesus to come for us with his saving love?

Our providing, all-knowing God, you work in the world in ways we cannot see. You see to it that we are put in places where we can do your work. Help us to be brave when we need to, and to trust your providence because you hold our entire world in your hands.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Isaiah 9:2-7

Today’s symbol is Isaiah’s scroll. Isaiah and other prophets came close to God, and wrote down God’s promises. One of these promises was a coming child, who would grow up and be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His kingdom will last forever, and he will make everything that is broken in our world right again.

I wonder how I feel when I am in the dark. Do I feel frightened? Alone? Secret? What do I want to say to God about the times I am in the dark?

I wonder how God’s people felt when they heard these promises from Isaiah? I wonder what it was like to know that God promised to shine light on them, even though they were walking in darkness?

I wonder how these words to Judah from long, long ago are also words for me, today? What do I want to say to God about these promises?

I wonder if I am getting tired of waiting for Christmas? I wonder if I am eager for Jesus to come and live among us, and for the celebration to begin? Is there anything I want to tell God about waiting?

Thank you, saving God, for the words of the prophets. Thank you that they are still words for us today. Give us faith and hope as we wait for your light to shine on us.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

1 Kings 18:21-39

Today’s symbol is fire. When Israel turned away from God and worshipped other gods, Elijah the prophet called them back. God sent fire down on Elijah’s sacrifice, to show Israel that he heard Elijah’s prayers and wanted to hear their prayers, too.

I wonder if I can imagine being in the crowd, watching the priests of Baal call out to their god? I wonder how the people felt, knowing that their king was on Baal’s side? I wonder what it was like, to see Elijah alone standing against them? Can I imagine how I would have felt?

I wonder why Elijah poured water all over his sacrifice?

I wonder if I can imagine seeing the fire come down from the sky and burn up Elijah’s altar? What would I have done if I were there?

I wonder how God’s people felt when they realized that God, not Baal, was near and waiting for their prayers? I wonder if they were afraid? Sorry? Ready to turn around and follow when they remembered who God is, and what God had done?

We may forget about God, but God never forgets us. God is always near, and waits patiently for us to remember and return. I wonder how I can remember that God is close to me today?

God, you listen for the prayers of your people. You want us to call on your name and you hear us when we cry out. Hear us now, O Lord, and come quickly to save us.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Today’s symbol is a lyre, which is a kind of harp. King David played songs of praise to God on the lyre. David was Israel’s greatest king, and he showed the people how to love and trust God.

I wonder how Samuel knew which of Jesse’s sons God had chosen to be king? I wonder what it was like to come so close to God, and to have God come so close to him?

I wonder how Samuel felt as he watched each of Jesse’s tall, strong, full-grown sons pass in front of him? I wonder what it was like to wait and watch for God to say, “Yes”?

God said to Samuel, “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outside of a person. But the LORD looks at what is in the heart.” I wonder what God saw when he looked at David’s heart? I wonder why David was the one who could lead God’s people and help them come close to God?

I wonder what God sees when he looks at my heart? Can I believe that God does not look at what people see? Can I believe that God is always looking at me with love?

Wise and holy God, people look at appearances, but you look at the heart. Give us hearts that trust you to deliver us.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

1 Samuel 17:2-11, 32-37

Today’s symbol is David’s sling. When everyone else in Israel was afraid, David trusted God to deliver his people. David grew to be a king who showed Israel how to love and trust the LORD.

I wonder what it was like to see tall, strong, armored Goliath challenging Israel’s army every day. I wonder if they were frightened? Discouraged? I wonder if God felt small and far away in the face of such a mighty warrior?

Has there been a time when I’ve been so frightened that I have forgotten to trust in God? Has there ever been a time when God felt smaller than the things I am afraid of? What do I want to say to God about that?

I wonder what Saul and the Israelite army were thinking about when David walked out to meet Goliath. I wonder if they were trembling and scared to watch? Or I wonder if his trust in God made them feel more brave? Can I imagine myself there? How would I have felt as I watched David stand face to face with Goliath?

I wonder if there are times when it is hard to see that God is for me? Can I ask God to help me be confident that his love will always save, and will never fail?

Mighty God, if you are for us, who can be against us? Help us to trust in you. Help us not to be afraid. Help us to wait for you to save us, because you are faithful and strong.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

1 Samuel 3:1-10

Today’s symbol is Samuel’s oil. Samuel learned to listen to God. Because he listened and trusted in God’s words, Samuel knew who God would choose to be king over Israel. God gave Samuel the job of anointing, or setting apart, the king.

I wonder what God’s voice sounded like to Samuel? I wonder what he felt when he heard his name spoken in the dark?

I wonder what it was like to come so close to God that Samuel could recognize and trust his words? I wonder if I have ever been confident, like Samuel, that God’s words are true and I can trust them? Can I ask God to help me trust and follow his voice?

I wonder if it’s hard to listen sometimes. Do I have trouble making my heart and mind quiet? Can I ask God to come close to me, even when I have trouble coming close to God?

I wonder if God has ever felt far away, or hard to hear? Are there people in my life who can speak God’s words of love to me when I have trouble hearing them? What do I want to say to God about that?

In Advent, we are waiting for Jesus. The Bible tells us that Jesus is God’s Word to us. I wonder how I can learn to listen to Jesus? Can I ask God to help me to trust that Jesus’ love and life are for me?

Patient God, we want to hear your words. We want to know you better. Help us to learn to listen for you quietly, and to follow you when you speak.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Ruth 2:1-12

Today’s symbol is a head of grain. Ruth gathered grain in Boaz’s fields, and he was kind to her. God brought Ruth into his family, and she became the great-grandmother of Israel’s greatest king.

I wonder how Ruth felt, as she stepped out into Boaz’s fields, surrounded by strange workers and strange scenery? I wonder what it was like, to be alone and so far from home?

I wonder if I have ever felt like a stranger in a new place? What did I do? How did that feel on the inside? What do I want to say to God about that time?

I wonder what Boaz’s voice sounded like as he welcomed Ruth? Have I ever been welcomed by someone? Has someone ever spoken kindly to me when I was afraid? Can I say thank you to God for that time?

Have I ever noticed someone who was new at my school? At my church? Can I ask God to help me welcome others when they may feel different or afraid?

Ruth moved from being an outsider to the very middle of God’s story. She is one of Jesus’ ancestors! I wonder what this story shows me about who God is, and what God is like?

We are halfway through Advent, and we are seeing God’s family grow. We are waiting for the time when God will keep his promise to save his people, and bring all of us into his family in Jesus. Can I say thank you to God for each of these stories? How can I wait for God to come and save today?

Kind and gracious God, thank you for bringing us into your family, even when we were outsiders like Ruth. Thank you for having a place for everyone at your table.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Joshua 6:1-5, 12-17

Today’s symbol is the shofar, which is a musical instrument made from a ram’s horn. God brought the people into the Promised Land, and saved them when they blew the shofar outside of Jericho.

I wonder how it felt to walk silently around those tall, strong city walls for seven days? I wonder if it would be hard to keep my body and voice quiet? I wonder what it was like to trust that God and God alone would bring the walls down?

I wonder what the sound of the seven shofars was like, as they sounded off the city walls? I wonder how it felt to finally be able to shout aloud to God, after being silent for so long?

I wonder, is it ever hard for me to believe that God is strong and will keep his promises? What can make me feel that way? What do I want to say to God about that?

I wonder if there has ever been a time when I felt confident and safe in God’s mighty love? What did that feel like inside my body? Can I say thank you to God for that time?

I wonder how this story can help us in Advent? Can I ask God to walk with me as I wait, just as the Israelites waited outside Jericho? Can I get ready to raise my voice to celebrate, when God arrives to save?

Mighty God, you fought for your people at Jericho. Help us to trust in your strength, like Joshua and like the Israelites. Thank you that we do not have to fight for ourselves or save ourselves, because you are our strength and our shield.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Deuteronomy 5:1-22

Today’s symbol is the two tablets of the law. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mt Sinai, and Moses gave them to God’s people. The Ten Commandments teach us how to love God and how to love one another.

I wonder what it was like, to be with God’s people and wandering in the wilderness? I wonder what God’s people said to God when they felt lost and afraid?

I wonder if I have ever been lost? I wonder if there is a time when I didn’t know the way I should go? What do I want to say to God about that time?

I wonder how following these ways can help me love God more? I wonder how they can help me love other people? Is there anything I want to ask God about his good ways?

I wonder what happens when people break God’s ways? I don’t always follow the ways into God’s presence. I wonder how God comes close to us, when we fail to come close to God?

In Advent, we remember that we don’t stay in God’s presence, so we are waiting for God to come and live among us. I wonder what it is like to rest safely in God’s presence? I wonder how I can practice that right now.

Holy and loving God, you have given us your ways as a gift. Forgive us when we break them. Thank you for coming to live with us, and for adopting us into your family. Teach us to walk in your ways, and to show others with all of our lives the way into your loving presence too.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Exodus 3:1-14

Today’s symbol is the burning bush. God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and promised to save his people.

I wonder what it was like to see that bush, wreathed in dancing flames but still itself? Can I see anything about God in that picture?

I wonder why Moses was afraid to look at God? I wonder what about the sight of the bush, or the words God spoke, made him turn his face away?

I wonder if God’s people felt like God had forgotten them, trapped as slaves in Egypt? I wonder if they were waiting for God to come save them, or if they had given up? Does it ever feel like God has forgotten me? What do I want to say to God about that?

I wonder if there is anything I want to ask God to see? Is there anyone I know who is hurting and needs God to come close? Are there any parts of me that I want God to see and come close to?

I wonder if I can sit quietly for a moment with God’s name. “I AM WHO I AM.” Can I ask God to teach me who he is?

God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, you are our God too. You are living, and you are the God who saves. Help us to come close to you, and to know you like Moses did.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.