In the Christian Science Bible Lesson July 21, 2014 Issue

Listen and yield to Love

For the Lesson titled "Love" from July 28 - August 3, 2014

Christa Kreutz

This week’s Christian Science Bible Lesson, “Love,” leads us to understand the nature of divine Love and its unstoppable healing power. It shows us that no situation is beyond divine Love’s reach. It’s also encouraging that many of the passages from the Bible in this Lesson were written during times of trial.

Two passages in the first section declare God’s inseparability from man. Interestingly, many scholars believe both passages were written when the Jews had been conquered and exiled from their country and city of worship—Jerusalem. Isaiah, speaking for God, writes, “Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee” (Isaiah 43:4, citation 2). The passage from Genesis describes God as making man in God’s own image (see 1:27, cit. 3). Both passages affirm God’s love and closeness to mankind, despite outward circumstances.

Psalm 143 is a wonderful example of a shift in thought from self-pity to love for God (see cit. 6). The Psalmist begins with a petition to God to deliver him from his enemies. He begs, “Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications” (verse 1). However, during the song the tone changes, and instead of petitioning God to hear him, the Psalmist wishes to hear God and declares his trust in God. He writes, “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust” (verse 8). Surely this shift couldn’t have been easy, since he appeared to be in danger. But over and over, Bible stories and passages share this message—let go of our fears, our desire to control situations, and listen for divine Love.