“This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar” (Galatians 4:24).

What Paul is talking about is the oft repeated story with some variation of repackaging living according to the law as a first order of things.  We do this because in sin, we easily recognize this.  However, Christ died once for all of our sins and there is a new life to which we are called.  It is more difficult for us because it requires that we trust in the grace of Christ over our desire to fulfil the law.

Lord, it makes sense and yet I want to be in control.  But is not that the problem?  I want to be in control.  Lead me, Lord, into the way of grace that I would not make laws my sole guide, but live according to Your grace and mercy.  Guide me, Lord, in Your goodness that I may now and always abide in You as You abide in me and live by Your grace willingly and freely at all times.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of life that You have established.  Help me now and always to look to You, the author and finisher of my faith and not to myself and the law I would quickly adopt.  Let me not wander in captivity, but live freely into the life You won on the cross for all who believe.   Amen.

“But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise” (Galatians 4:23).

God has shown the means by which salvation would come.  It began with Abraham, “And it was reckoned to him as righteousness.”  What then?  Only this, that in what God has ordained, through the revelation and the prophets, God has made clear that a Savior would come and that through Him those who believed would be saved.  Come then into what God has prepared.

Many are they who choose the way of bondage.  Why bind yourself when the Lord has set you free.  Not free to do as you please, but free from the recompense of sin which is death.  Be lifted out of the mire of sin and live in the freedom of grace.  Come through faith to the promise, which is Christ, and in His mercy and grace, be lifted up by the faith you have been given,

Lord Jesus, You have come that we may have life and have it abundantly.  You have come that as many as believe would be given the power to become the children of God.  Lead me, O Lord, in the eternal way You have established that I may not fall into the error of thinking I can do anything by myself.  Shape and mold me into Your image Savior that I may humbly walk with You.  Amen.

“Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law?  For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman” (Galatians 4:21-22).

We are born in bondage to sin.  The power of sin is the law.  The recompense of the law is death.  Christ died once for all that those who believe would be united with Him in His resurrection.  Why would anyone want to be reunited with sin and death?  If the law could save us then we would have no need for the Savior.  Do not enter back into bondage, but live in the freedom which is yours in Christ.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we might have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may not fall into the snares of sin and death through the law.  Yes, Your law is good, but without You I cannot do anything.  Lead me into the right way of thinking and acting.  Through Your grace, show me the right way of looking at You and the world that I may be Your Father’s child in word and deed.

Lord Jesus, You are the Savior of the world and apart from You there is nothing good that can be done.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always be led by You, my Savior, in the way You have established by grace.  Keep me from slipping back into the letter of the law knowing they cannot and will not help me.  Instead, teach me Your willing obedience and way of truth.  Amen.

“My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you –  but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you” Galatians 4:19-20).

We sometimes think that we have done all that needs to be done and we who have received the testimony of the Gospel are good to go.  And then minds are changed.  Do not be one who perplexes others by your hypocrisy, but be consistent in your practice of faith and the life you live as you become like Christ.  Labor steadily in the truth of the Gospel and live into the life to which You have been called for your sake and for the sake of Christ who called you.

Lord, let me not be one who is all over the place, hard to figure out and uncertain about this life of faith which You have given. Guide me O Lord in the way of truth that I may now and always humbly abide in You.  May others see me as consistent and may that be who I truly am in and through all circumstances.  Lead me, O Lord, and I will be led.  Show me, Lord, where You know I need to be.

Lord Jesus, You have given Your Spirit that we who abide in You would be consistent in witness of Your word.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go.  Guide me according to the will of the Father to be one who in season and out of season lives this life of faith which You have given me. Guide me, O Lord, and help me always to follow.  Teach me to love as You love and live as You intend.  Amen.

“But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:18).

Is your eagerness for the Lord only in public, or all the time?  Do not live as those who pretend and do not live consistently.  Live instead as one who loves the Lord and is learning to love as He loves.  Be consistent in your faith and live into the life which is yours by grace.  Come and seek the better portion, which is to abide in the Lord as He abides in you and live the life He gives.

Lord, help me to see through the inconsistencies in my own life.  Help me to act the same in public and private, amongst friends and strangers.  Lead me into the life of faith at all times and in all places.  Guide me in Your goodness to see through those games which I am tempted to play that I may now and always look to You, the author and finisher of my faith, for guidance in consistency.

Lord Jesus, You have come that I might have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always humbly and willingly abide in You in private and in public.  Give me a consistent witness that I would live the life You have given me always.  Help me to become like You, doing what is pleasing always in the Father’s sight.  Amen.

“So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?  They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them” (Galatians 4:16-17).

The way of the world against the way of Christ remains the same.  There are those who would shut up the voice of Jesus.  But the Word of the Lord is forever.  Which voice will you listen to?  Which voice will you follow?  The sheep know the voice of Jesus.  The sheep hear and follow the Master.  Hear the truth and listen, for only the Lord has the words of eternal life.

Lord, I know these things in my mind but my heart moves to the tune the world sings.  I am often torn by the ways of the world.  Help me resist temptation and live into the life You have given me by grace.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always follow You in all of Your ways.  Keep me from temptation and deliver me from all evil that I may forever be yours.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to be tempted.  You know this world and the constant noise that is raised against the simple truth of the Gospel.  Help me, O Lord, to live into the life You have given me through faith.  Guide me in the abundance of grace You provide to look to You above all things and be guided by Your goodness.  You have pointed me to the Father.  Help me eyes to always remain where You direct them that I may always follow You.  Amen.

“Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me” (Galatians 4:15).

Some are very emotional and driven by their feelings.  In the beginning and with excitement, they go into the world happy and filled with emotion.  But then time wears the emotions down and a dullness may replace the original joy.  It really does not matter; emotions work this way with all things.  Do not be driven by your emotions, but by the One who created you and all things.

Lord, help me see how I am tossed about by my feelings.  Not that there is anything wrong with feelings, it is just that feelings are untrustworthy.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that no matter how I feel I would be guided in the truth of Your presence and purpose.  Guide me. O Lord. so that I may learn to live life as You have created it to be lived.  Teach me the way of life and how to live it according to Your will.

Lord Jesus, You have shown us the way of life.  You told us to always look to the Father and to seek to do what is pleasing to Him.  Lead me this day, O Lord, that I would learn from Your example how to live.  Let me not be overly emotional, but fervent in commitment.  Guide me to grow in wisdom and maturity.  Lead me to be one who is consistent in faith and life by always looking to You.  Amen. 

“But you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself” (Galatians 4:13-14).

The Lord lines things up such that we may not be aware that what we believe to be an infirmity is actually serving His purpose.  There is no such thing as coincidence.  Everything belongs to God.  Christ created all things and they were created through Him and for Him.  Come then into the peace of knowing the futility of thinking that your will can do anything apart from the One who created you.

Lord, You do cause all things to come together.  In You is the source of life and meaning.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would walk humbly with You.  Let me not so much try to figure things out as much as learn what obedience means.  In the revelation You have given, guide me, Lord, ever more closely into Your purpose, power, and presence.  Teach me how to follow.

Lord Jesus, You came and did all You did for our sake.  At first, there was great excitement.  As the years have passed, it is often tempting to let the reality of time hammer away at that excitement because there are no longer those new feeling.  But that is true of everything.  Help me, Lord, to not be governed by my feelings, but to live into the truth of Your revelation that I may become more like You each day.  Amen.

“I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong” (Galatians 4:12)

What we are to be, we do not know.  This we do know; we are to become like Christ.  Wherever you see Christ modeled, follow that example.  Give up yourself and become one who loves your neighbor.  Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the Spirit of Christ.  All of these are the same things.  We are to be focused on becoming whom God is making us to be.

Lord, let me see through this age and everything that gets in the way of me simply becoming like Christ.  Help me to see examples that I may follow.  Help me to not be worried about what others’ think.  Throughout the day, bring me reminders that I have been called through the water and word of my baptism to become as one of the saints.  Conform me to the image of Christ and keep me close to You.

Come, Holy Spirit, and minister as I need to be ministered to.  Guide me in Your goodness to see through the nonsense of this world and live into the life for which I was created.  Help me to follow the good example of others that I may become a good example for others.  All of this is a result of Your working in me.  Lead me this day in the way You know I need to go.  Amen.

“You observe days and months and seasons and years.  I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain” (Galatians 4:10-11).

We make laws of things and our traditions take root and rule.  We have been freed to love the Lord at all times and in all places.  Why would we want to replace that with a compulsion to behave in certain ways at certain times?  Ours is not just a religion to order life; it is a faith to live with the One who created all life.  Why do you settle for lesser things when the greatest thing has already been given to you?

Lord, help me see that I do like order such that I want to be told what to do.  Lead me, O Lord, in truth that I live in truth.  Guide me by Your principles so that I understand more fully each day what You ask of me.  Let me not be carried away by this world’s lies, but transformed by You as You renew my mind each day in the truth of grace.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth.

Lord Jesus, You have come that all who believe may have life and have it more abundantly.  Guide me in the way of life and truth, Lord, that I would never settle for the lesser things.  Help me to know the boundaries of Your love and live out the faith You have given me.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may not replace You with days, season, events, or traditions.  Amen.