Devotional for Sunday 2 November

Luke 19:10:

“For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”  

Reflection

In the book of Habakkuk we find the prophet crying out in frustration: violence, injustice and wrongdoing appear rampant; God seems silent and the vision seems delayed. Yet God answers: “Write the vision; make it plain… For the righteous live by their faith.” (Habakkuk 2:2-4)  

This reading invites us into honest lament — into recognising the brokenness of the world and our longing for God’s justice. But it also points to a crucial truth: the righteous live by their faith. Not by having everything sorted, not by seeing the full resolution now — but by living in trust and expectancy.

Psalm 119 picks up the theme of faithfulness: “Your justice is everlasting… grant me understanding, that I may live.”   The psalmist doesn’t pretend life is easy; there is trouble and distress. Yet the commandments of God are embraced, the word is held dear.

In 2 Thessalonians, Paul writes: “we must always give thanks … because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is increasing.” (2 Thess 1:3)   The Christian life is faithful living in community, love in action, faith that grows.

Then in Luke’s gospel we meet Zacchaeus — a tax-collector, rich and socially disapproved. Jesus invites himself into Zacchaeus’s house, declares that salvation has come, and Zacchaeus responds: half his goods to the poor and restitution four‐fold. (Luke 19:1-10)   The message is clear: God comes to find the lost, and when one meets Christ, change happens.

So what connects these readings for us this Sunday?

• Faith in waiting: even when God seems distant, we hold onto the promise. Habakkuk’s vision may “tarry”, yet it will come.  

• Faith in community: our faith is not solitary. Psalm 119 and 2 Thessalonians call us to hold God’s word together and care for each other.

• Faith in transformation: meeting Jesus means change. Zacchaeus is found, challenged, changed, restored.

As disciples today we are invited to live out this faith: to trust when the horizon is unclear, to love one another practically, and to be open to transformation ourselves.

Questions for reflection

• In what parts of your life do you feel you are waiting for God’s vision or justice?

• How is your faith growing in love for others around you?

• What might God be inviting you to change in response to meeting Jesus?

Prayer

Gracious God,

you do not ignore our cries or hide from our pain. You invite us into your vision and call us to live by faith.

Grant us the courage to wait faithfully, the humility to live in community with our brothers and sisters, and the openness to be transformed by your grace.

Meet us in our lost places — as you met Zacchaeus — and lead us to lives of renewal and compassion.

May our faith be seen in love, our hope in action, and our lives reflect the one who came to seek and to save the lost.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Hymn verse for Singing the Faith

Here is a verse you might use (either alone or adapted) to accompany the service:

1 “Lord of mercy, Spirit-light,

We who wander seek your sight;

In our waiting, grant your grace,

Faith to run the chosen race.

Lord of mercy, draw us near,

Turn our hearts and calm our fear.”