Discerning the Lord's Banquet (BC 35; 1 Cor. 11:23-31)

When we come to the Lord's table we are reminded that we are coming into the Lord's presence. There is something frightening about Paul exhorting the Corinthians church and telling them that some have died because of their sin. Paul correlates the eating of communion to this death. This can make us terrified to come before our Lord and we can think that the elements have a magical power. However, what Paul is calling us and exhorting us to see is that we partake of Christ, we dine at his table, and we eat his supper. We are called to discern that we do not come to this meal because we are worthy, but because we are made worthy in Christ. It is the call to come to the heavenly banquet table in humility.

Discerning the Right Will (LD 49; Romans 12:1, 2)

It would be nice if the Lord would just tell us what he wants us to do. It would be nice that in every circumstance the Lord would tell us what is right and wrong. However, God did not create robots. He desires for us to consciously pursue him. So, when we pray this request we are asking the Lord to accomplish his will, and what we would do his will for his glory.

Discerning God's Will (Zechariah 7:1-14)

The Israelites inquire about fasting. They want to know if they should continue their fast regarding the temple's destruction. Their history is a place of limbo. On the one hand they are back in the land, but on the other hand the temple is not finished. This question is very pious as they are inquiring about how to honor the Lord. However, the Lord questions why Israel is asking about this fast. The Lord does not want our outward acts, but we learn that God wants his people.