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The First Week in July

Writer's picture: Hannah Jones-NelsonHannah Jones-Nelson




We Read…


One of the themes we can find in our verses this week is being on a journey with God. Our faith is not just a single destination or a mountaintop moment that lasts forever. We’re always on a journey of faith and see this same idea with every person we encounter in scripture. David’s journey to becoming king was unexpected, and even after he was crowned, his life wasn’t perfect. In 2 Corinthians, we read about boasting in Jesus through our weaknesses, and we’re reminded that Jesus is always with us on this journey. Even Jesus himself faced trials and rejection! His hometown refused to listen to what he had to say, so he journeyed forward.


We aren’t static in our faith and won’t always have a smooth, easy road. Most of the time, we’ll look back and be amazed that we got to where we are now! David, the little shepherd boy, never would have guessed that he would become King David. Jesus’s neighbors never expected the carpenter’s son to become a spiritual teacher (and so much more). But we know that we don’t walk this journey alone!



2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10

All the Israelite tribes came to David at Hebron and said, “Listen: we are your very own flesh and bone. 2 In the past, when Saul ruled over us, you were the one who led Israel out to war and back. What’s more, the Lord told you, You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be Israel’s leader.” 3 So all the Israelite elders came to the king at Hebron. King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was 30 years old when he became king, and he ruled for forty years. 5 He ruled over Judah for seven and a half years in Hebron. He ruled thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah in Jerusalem. 


9 David occupied the fortress, so it was renamed David’s City. David built a city around it from the earthen terraces inward.10 David grew increasingly powerful, and the Lord of heavenly forces was with him. 


Psalm 48

1 In the city belonging to our God the Lord is great and so worthy of praise! His holy mountain 2 is a beautiful summit, the joy of the whole world. Mount Zion, in the far north, is the city of the great king. 3 God is in its fortifications, revealing himself as a place of safety. 4 Look: the kings assembled themselves, advancing all together— 5 when they saw it, they were stunned; they panicked and ran away frightened. 6 Trembling took hold of them right there— like a woman giving birth, 7 or like the east wind when it smashes the ships of Tarshish. 8 Just like we had heard, now we’ve seen it for ourselves in the city of the Lord of heavenly forces, in the city of our God. May God make it secure forever! Selah 9 We dwell on your faithful love, God, in your temple. 10 Your praise, God, just like your reputation, extends to the far corners of the earth. Your strong hand is filled with righteousness. 11 Let Mount Zion be glad; let the towns of Judah rejoice because of your acts of justice! 12 Walk around Zion; go all the way around it; count its towers. 13 Examine its defenses closely; tour its fortifications so that you may tell future generations: 14 “This is God, our God, forever and always! He is the one who will lead us even to the very end.” 


2 Corinthians 12:2-10

2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don’t know whether it was in the body or out of the body. God knows. 3 I know that this man was caught up into paradise and that he heard unspeakable words that were things no one is allowed to repeat. I don’t know whether it was in the body or apart from the body. God knows. 5 I’ll brag about this man, but I won’t brag about myself, except to brag about my weaknesses. 6 If I did want to brag, I wouldn’t make a fool of myself because I’d tell the truth. I’m holding back from bragging so that no one will give me any more credit than what anyone sees or hears about me. 7 I was given a thorn in my body because of the outstanding revelations I’ve received so that I wouldn’t be conceited. It’s a messenger from Satan sent to torment me so that I wouldn’t be conceited. 8 I pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me alone. 9 He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me. 10 Therefore, I’m all right with weaknesses, insults, disasters, harassments, and stressful situations for the sake of Christ, because when I’m weak, then I’m strong. 



Mark 6:1-13

2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don’t know whether it was in the body or out of the body. God knows. 3 I know that this man was caught up into paradise and that he heard unspeakable words that were things no one is allowed to repeat. I don’t know whether it was in the body or apart from the body. God knows. 5 I’ll brag about this man, but I won’t brag about myself, except to brag about my weaknesses. 6 If I did want to brag, I wouldn’t make a fool of myself because I’d tell the truth. I’m holding back from bragging so that no one will give me any more credit than what anyone sees or hears about me. 7 I was given a thorn in my body because of the outstanding revelations I’ve received so that I wouldn’t be conceited. It’s a messenger from Satan sent to torment me so that I wouldn’t be conceited. 8 I pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me alone. 9 He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me. 10 Therefore, I’m all right with weaknesses, insults, disasters, harassments, and stressful situations for the sake of Christ, because when I’m weak, then I’m strong. 



We Think…


  • What stands out to you in these verses? Does anything confuse you or not make sense?

  • How do these verses compare to your own experience in life or the church? What are you considering? What questions come to mind?

  • Why do you think people in Jesus’s town struggled to listen to him?



We Feel…


  • What emotions are you experiencing today? How are you making space for these feelings?

  • Where have you seen God today or this week? What is pointing you to God (maybe it is something in creation, a friend or adult that cares for you)?

  • What has God made new in your life? In your heart? 

  • What are your weaknesses? How can God help strengthen you through these?



We Believe…


Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12 can be tricky to listen to. None of us like to be in pain, and it feels counterintuitive to rejoice in our weaknesses. It’s important to note that we do NOT believe that we should inflict pain on ourselves or others so that God can be glorified. God isn’t asking us to purposefully suffer for God’s sake. Instead, Paul’s words challenge us to look at the parts of our lives that we would rather live without but maybe can’t (right now or ever). 


  • How can God be seen amid our struggles?

  • How can we continue to point to God’s love, grace, and power when we feel like we’re unable to move past something?

  • How can rejoicing amid our problems help us to grow closer to God? 


When it feels like God isn’t answering our prayers in the ways we’d like, we can still see God at work in our lives and point others toward God!



We Practice…


Our faith is a journey, and we aren’t supposed to walk it by ourselves. This week, if you don’t have this already, find someone to go with you on this journey. Find a friend or mentor you can intentionally talk to and walk with (metaphorically but also literally!). Commit to spending time with this person and growing together in your relationship with God. You can do your devotionals together, commit to attending church together, or text back and forth to encourage one another. 



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