Comforted by God, a Lectio DivinaSample

Day 1: God Remembering Us

Before we begin: Each day of this plan, we have included an audio of Maggie, Robin, and Sherry reading each day’s devotional. Simply press the play button to experience the comfort of having the day’s content read to you.

Devotional:

We were made for love - to receive love and to give love. Every infant needs to be held, seen, soothed, and securely attached. Yet even the best of parents fail, resulting in disappointment, loss, and injury. We need the loving care, nurture, and comfort of our God, who brings deep healing to our whole selves.

God desires to meet us in our aches, our longings, and our needs to comfort us when we suffer and are grieving, to care for us, and to tend to our wounded hearts. God is revealed in Scripture in fatherly and motherly ways, with nurturing, protecting, and feminine attributes, which makes sense as God created two image bearers: male and female he created them.

Grab your journal and find a comfortable place to sit, with no distractions, open to what God may have for you. I will guide you through this practice. Close your eyes, take a deep breath.

As I read this verse for the FIRST time, ask yourself, “What is this verse saying?” At any point, pause the audio if you need more time.

Isaiah 49:15-16 from the Passion Translation. “But how could a loving mother forget her nursing child and not deeply love the one she bore? Even if there is a mother who forgets her child, I could never, no never, forget you. Can’t you see? I have carved your name on the palms of my hands!”

As I read this verse for the SECOND time, listen for a word or phrase that shimmers - that catches your attention. Maybe you experience a tightening of your chest, knots in your stomach, tears in your eyes, or a sense of resonance or resistance. Listen for a word that causes a response or feeling.

But how could a loving mother forget her nursing child and not deeply love the one she bore? Even if there is a mother who forgets her child, I could never, no never, forget you. Can’t you see? I have carved your name on the palms of my hands!

As I read this verse for the THIRD time, ask God to show you- why that word or phrase? What does this word mean for your life, for what you’re experiencing?

But how could a loving mother forget her nursing child and not deeply love the one she bore? Even if there is a mother who forgets her child, I could never, no never, forget you. Can’t you see? I have carved your name on the palms of my hands!

Is there an invitation from God? Listen for a response from God.

As I read this verse for the FOURTH time, the invitation is to rest in God, as a child rests against his mother, trusting and knowing everything you need is there for you in God. Rest in the presence of God.

But how could a loving mother forget her nursing child and not deeply love the one she bore? Even if there is a mother who forgets her child, I could never, no never, forget you. Can’t you see? I have carved your name on the palms of my hands!

Now, open your eyes and slowly allow yourself a moment before you move from this experience with God. Consider journaling and talking with God about this word and what it means for you.