To Delight in God’s Will?
A question occurred to me recently during Morning Prayer from “The Book of Common Prayer” (BCP) Daily Office reading.
In the Confession of Sin part of our daily and Sunday liturgies, we pray “that we might delight in Your will and walk in Your ways.”
“To delight in God’s will …” I wonder what would it look like for me to delight in God’s will today? Or throughout the different seasons of life during the ups and downs?
This week, in the Episcopal Church Lectionary Calendar, we remember the early disciple, Tabitha. Her story might help with this question.
Tabitha’s story in Acts 9:36-42 paints a picture of a life lived in generous service to the poor, especially widows. Tabitha made sure that these vulnerable women had good, quality clothes to wear. Luke’s inclusion of her name in Greek — Dorcas — might point to her also caring for believers from the Hellenistic community (Acts 6:1).
Luke’s writing indicates that Tabitha became sick and died suddenly. Upon hearing the news that the Apostle Peter was in a nearby town, Tabitha’s community sought and urged him to tend to her immediately. Were they hoping for a miracle? When Peter arrived, Tabitha’s body was surrounded by friends, especially widows, who were eager to tell him about her generosity.
Peter prayed and said, “Tabitha, arise.”
You might be reminded of Jesus’ own words raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead, “Talitha, kumi.” (“Little girl, arise.” Mark 5:41).
Tabitha opened her eyes and got up — God brought her back to life! Many in the town came to faith in Christ because of her miracle.
Luke’s description of Tabitha is that she was “always doing good and helping the poor.” (Acts 9:36) I have not personally counted the number of times that Scriptures mention the poor and needy. Some counts are close to 2,000. God commanded the Israelites not to oppress or neglect the widows, the fatherless, the foreigners or the poor and to preserve ways to provide for them (Zechariah 7:10, Deuteronomy 24:17, 20-21; Ezekiel 22:7).
Tabitha took this command from God seriously: her actions and heart were shaped by God’s love for these marginalized people. She loved them and they loved her: they had a true kind of friendship.
Tabitha’s life of loving service to the poor and vulnerable gives us a window into how it can look to delight in God’s will … and walk in His ways.
Prayer
Holy God, thank You for your disciple, Tabitha, whose life was shaped by Your love for the poor and vulnerable. You are glorified both in her generosity and in Your mighty power displayed in raising her from the dead. Lord, may we so love You and know Your love for us that we may follow in Tabitha’s example of loving and caring for the widows, the fatherless, the foreigners and the poor, and to delight in Your will in this way; through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
