Psalm 19 (NRSV)
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
[1]
Lord,
Countless sermons have begun with this verse and rightly so. But this morning I pray that my life will begin with these words, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Words, the flowers of the heart; roses and dandelions, orchids and thistles, words bless and curse, heal and wound, help and hurt – let the words of my mouth be acceptable today.
Meditation, that to which we give our attention, those to whom we listen, the focus of our thoughts and fantasies, the pondering and wondering that we do – let my meditations be acceptable to you today.
Lord, you are the One to whom I pledge my ultimate loyalty, the one to whom I am, both by choice and necessity finally accountable.
My rock, you are the stability in my life, the One who cannot be broken, the One upon whom I finally rely.
My redeemer, You, God of heaven and earth, You are the father of Jesus, the one in whom salvation is found. In Jesus, we find the final testimony that your love is beyond measure. You have redeemed us for yourself.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to so breathe God’s Spirit into you that your words and meditations will be pleasing to God.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
psalm 19
Psalm 19 (NRSV)
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent;d
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Lord,
Your ordinances are “more desired than gold”, “sweeter than honey.” Jesus once talked about a treasure buried in a field that cost the buyer everything and was worth it. Your law, your words, your instruction, your way, your salvation is worth it – more desired than gold and sweeter than honey.
You make it clear that those who live according to your ordinances discover great rewards and those who know your words avoid life-destroying mistakes.
Allow me an observation or two. Lord, correct me if I am wrong.
Too many of us claim to love you and your ordinances and words and claim to hold the Holy Scriptures sacred and all the while do not know you nor your words nor your Son.
And too many of us know scripture but never really know the character of Jesus and believe that the words about you and the words about Jesus are the same as knowing your character and living with your Spirit. That is the way it seems to me. Lord, let that not be the way it is with me.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to help you to know not only the ordinances of God but also the Spirit of God.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
[1]
d Or from proud thoughts
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent;d
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Lord,
Your ordinances are “more desired than gold”, “sweeter than honey.” Jesus once talked about a treasure buried in a field that cost the buyer everything and was worth it. Your law, your words, your instruction, your way, your salvation is worth it – more desired than gold and sweeter than honey.
You make it clear that those who live according to your ordinances discover great rewards and those who know your words avoid life-destroying mistakes.
Allow me an observation or two. Lord, correct me if I am wrong.
Too many of us claim to love you and your ordinances and words and claim to hold the Holy Scriptures sacred and all the while do not know you nor your words nor your Son.
And too many of us know scripture but never really know the character of Jesus and believe that the words about you and the words about Jesus are the same as knowing your character and living with your Spirit. That is the way it seems to me. Lord, let that not be the way it is with me.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to help you to know not only the ordinances of God but also the Spirit of God.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
[1]
d Or from proud thoughts
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Psalm 19
Psalm 19 (NRSV)
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Lord,
That which comes from you revives, makes wise, gives joy, enlightens, endures and is entirely right.
Does it follow that what revives, is wise, grants joy and enlightens always comes form you? Careful Joe, what looks like wisdom and joy may merely be attractive counterfeits. Of course, we attribute some things to the Lord that the Lord would clearly reject. Be careful as to what is attributed to the Lord.
Even so, the poet is clear that all that comes from You, Lord, is given with the clear intention of blessing and enriching our lives. You are for us and not against us. You created us for joyful and abundant living and you give us the resources necessary, the resources of your “law”.
As for me, I know that a law or rule or insight or instruction comes from you when it is consistent with Jesus, his life, instruction, and behavior. He is the fulfillment of the law, the law’s highest expression, the “word made flesh.”
For your gifts, for the way of life revealed in your law and fulfilled in Christ, O God, thank you.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to help you to attune your life with the “law of God” as fully revealed in Jesus.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thanks you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Lord,
That which comes from you revives, makes wise, gives joy, enlightens, endures and is entirely right.
Does it follow that what revives, is wise, grants joy and enlightens always comes form you? Careful Joe, what looks like wisdom and joy may merely be attractive counterfeits. Of course, we attribute some things to the Lord that the Lord would clearly reject. Be careful as to what is attributed to the Lord.
Even so, the poet is clear that all that comes from You, Lord, is given with the clear intention of blessing and enriching our lives. You are for us and not against us. You created us for joyful and abundant living and you give us the resources necessary, the resources of your “law”.
As for me, I know that a law or rule or insight or instruction comes from you when it is consistent with Jesus, his life, instruction, and behavior. He is the fulfillment of the law, the law’s highest expression, the “word made flesh.”
For your gifts, for the way of life revealed in your law and fulfilled in Christ, O God, thank you.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to help you to attune your life with the “law of God” as fully revealed in Jesus.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thanks you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Psalm 19
Psalm 19 (NRSV)
1 The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmamenta proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
4 yet their voiceb goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavensc he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hid from its heat.
Lord,
How magnificent is this? I stand nearly speechless. The heavens tell, there is no speech, yet their voice is heard. My, oh my, I get it. The poet points towards that which is beyond speech and defies description. There is something holy in the sun and moon, in day and night, in the stuff of life and in life which inhabits stuff. Pure literal description is essential for some forms of communication. There can be no science without it. But the poet knows of things which lie beyond the capacity of pure literal description. He points toward that which words cannot describe and neither mind nor heart can define. The poet points us towards God, that for which the only sound is a gasp and the only word is “Ahhhhh.” After that, we use thoughts, words, concepts, poetry, and art to point towards the Ineffable, the Indescribable, and the Felt but always in part. The heavens and the earth tell the glory of God.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Sit quietly before God and live within the Mystery and confess that we can know only in part.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
a Or dome
b Gk Jerome Compare Syr: Heb line
c Heb In them
1 The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmamenta proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
4 yet their voiceb goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavensc he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hid from its heat.
Lord,
How magnificent is this? I stand nearly speechless. The heavens tell, there is no speech, yet their voice is heard. My, oh my, I get it. The poet points towards that which is beyond speech and defies description. There is something holy in the sun and moon, in day and night, in the stuff of life and in life which inhabits stuff. Pure literal description is essential for some forms of communication. There can be no science without it. But the poet knows of things which lie beyond the capacity of pure literal description. He points toward that which words cannot describe and neither mind nor heart can define. The poet points us towards God, that for which the only sound is a gasp and the only word is “Ahhhhh.” After that, we use thoughts, words, concepts, poetry, and art to point towards the Ineffable, the Indescribable, and the Felt but always in part. The heavens and the earth tell the glory of God.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Sit quietly before God and live within the Mystery and confess that we can know only in part.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
a Or dome
b Gk Jerome Compare Syr: Heb line
c Heb In them
Friday, September 12, 2008
Psalm 18
Psalm 18 (NRSV)
37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
and did not turn back until they were consumed.
38 I struck them down, so that they were not able to rise;
they fell under my feet.
39 For you girded me with strength for the battle;
you made my assailants sink under me.
40 You made my enemies turn their backs to me,
and those who hated me I destroyed.
41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them;
they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them.
42 I beat them fine, like dust before the wind;
I cast them out like the mire of the streets.
43 You delivered me from strife with the peoples;c
you made me head of the nations;
people whom I had not known served me.
44 As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me;
foreigners came cringing to me.
45 Foreigners lost heart,
and came trembling out of their strongholds.
46 The Lord lives! Blessed be my rock,
and exalted be the God of my salvation,
47 the God who gave me vengeance
and subdued peoples under me;
48 who delivered me from my enemies;
indeed, you exalted me above my adversaries;
you delivered me from the violent.
49 For this I will extol you, O Lord, among the nations,
and sing praises to your name.
50 Great triumphs he gives to his king,
and shows steadfast love to his anointed,
to David and his descendants forever.
[1]
Lord,
I celebrate the poet's victory. I celebrate his deliverance. I celebrate your faithfulness. And I fully understand his attitude “I beat them fine, like dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets.” In his anger that turned to hatred with a surplus of adrenalin spilling through his veins and the yearning for revenge dominating his spirit, he ground them into dust and threw them out like garbage into the streets. Who cannot understand that?
I understand that you work with the people you have, as they are. I fully understand, by looking in the mirror, that human perfection is not guaranteed by the intent to be faithful. Sometimes we get better but for most of us perfection is reserved for heaven.
But you have given us Christ and I do not see the poet’s response as the response that Christ would make in similar circumstances. With Jesus' focus on reconciliation, forgiveness and love even for the enemy, I think that he and his disciples would behave differently in victory, regardless of the enemy’s behavior. And I pray that America, populated with Christians and shaped by Christian tradition would behave differently too.
The war with Germany was brutal in ways beyond description and, following victory, America responded with the Marshall Plan. We rebuilt Japan. We have normalized relations with Viet Nam.
Lord, as we move forward with the current wars, grant us the wisdom of your spirit. Grant us peace through reconciliation and justice.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to grant you a Christ-like spirit in the midst of conflict.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In the name of Christ,
Amen.
c Gk Tg: Heb people
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
and did not turn back until they were consumed.
38 I struck them down, so that they were not able to rise;
they fell under my feet.
39 For you girded me with strength for the battle;
you made my assailants sink under me.
40 You made my enemies turn their backs to me,
and those who hated me I destroyed.
41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them;
they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them.
42 I beat them fine, like dust before the wind;
I cast them out like the mire of the streets.
43 You delivered me from strife with the peoples;c
you made me head of the nations;
people whom I had not known served me.
44 As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me;
foreigners came cringing to me.
45 Foreigners lost heart,
and came trembling out of their strongholds.
46 The Lord lives! Blessed be my rock,
and exalted be the God of my salvation,
47 the God who gave me vengeance
and subdued peoples under me;
48 who delivered me from my enemies;
indeed, you exalted me above my adversaries;
you delivered me from the violent.
49 For this I will extol you, O Lord, among the nations,
and sing praises to your name.
50 Great triumphs he gives to his king,
and shows steadfast love to his anointed,
to David and his descendants forever.
[1]
Lord,
I celebrate the poet's victory. I celebrate his deliverance. I celebrate your faithfulness. And I fully understand his attitude “I beat them fine, like dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets.” In his anger that turned to hatred with a surplus of adrenalin spilling through his veins and the yearning for revenge dominating his spirit, he ground them into dust and threw them out like garbage into the streets. Who cannot understand that?
I understand that you work with the people you have, as they are. I fully understand, by looking in the mirror, that human perfection is not guaranteed by the intent to be faithful. Sometimes we get better but for most of us perfection is reserved for heaven.
But you have given us Christ and I do not see the poet’s response as the response that Christ would make in similar circumstances. With Jesus' focus on reconciliation, forgiveness and love even for the enemy, I think that he and his disciples would behave differently in victory, regardless of the enemy’s behavior. And I pray that America, populated with Christians and shaped by Christian tradition would behave differently too.
The war with Germany was brutal in ways beyond description and, following victory, America responded with the Marshall Plan. We rebuilt Japan. We have normalized relations with Viet Nam.
Lord, as we move forward with the current wars, grant us the wisdom of your spirit. Grant us peace through reconciliation and justice.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to grant you a Christ-like spirit in the midst of conflict.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In the name of Christ,
Amen.
c Gk Tg: Heb people
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Psalm 18
Psalm 18 (NRSV)
30 This God—his way is perfect;
the promise of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God except the Lord?
And who is a rock besides our God?—
32 the God who girded me with strength,
and made my way safe.
33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer,
and set me secure on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your right hand has supported me;
your helpb has made me great.
36 You gave me a wide place for my steps under me,
and my feet did not slip.
Lord,
Today is 9-11, the anniversary of the attack on The World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and the thwarted assault on the capital. The images of the planes striking and buildings collapsing and fires burning and ashes everywhere and living people running for their survival and others seeking and mourning the dead, those images will never be erased form memory. No doubt, some who suffered are men and women who are faithful to you Lord. For all who still suffer, please give your grace in super-abundant measure.
Tell me again how your way is perfect, how your promises prove true and how you are a shield for all who take refuge in you. Please do not regard my question as skepticism or cynicism or irreverence or even disbelief. I just want to know and I wish to be faithful. I want to believe if I can know what to believe. How do you provide?
I have experienced your provision in my own life. In times of serious uncertainty, that which was needed has been provided and I believe that you are the source of that provision. Once we were involved in a serious roll-over auto accident and we all escaped without injury, your protection.
And yet, a lot of people died on 9-11.
So Lord, this is what I believe today. I submit it for our corection and improvement. I believe that you provide what is needed to meet the tragedies and difficulties that come. You do not always prevent tragedy and you clearly do not protect us from all difficulty, but you never abandon us and you always show us the way through. You give us what we need to cope and thrive even when thriving means thriving on the other side of the great river.
30 This God—his way is perfect;
the promise of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God except the Lord?
And who is a rock besides our God?—
32 the God who girded me with strength,
and made my way safe.
33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer,
and set me secure on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your right hand has supported me;
your helpb has made me great.
36 You gave me a wide place for my steps under me,
and my feet did not slip.
Lord,
Today is 9-11, the anniversary of the attack on The World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and the thwarted assault on the capital. The images of the planes striking and buildings collapsing and fires burning and ashes everywhere and living people running for their survival and others seeking and mourning the dead, those images will never be erased form memory. No doubt, some who suffered are men and women who are faithful to you Lord. For all who still suffer, please give your grace in super-abundant measure.
Tell me again how your way is perfect, how your promises prove true and how you are a shield for all who take refuge in you. Please do not regard my question as skepticism or cynicism or irreverence or even disbelief. I just want to know and I wish to be faithful. I want to believe if I can know what to believe. How do you provide?
I have experienced your provision in my own life. In times of serious uncertainty, that which was needed has been provided and I believe that you are the source of that provision. Once we were involved in a serious roll-over auto accident and we all escaped without injury, your protection.
And yet, a lot of people died on 9-11.
So Lord, this is what I believe today. I submit it for our corection and improvement. I believe that you provide what is needed to meet the tragedies and difficulties that come. You do not always prevent tragedy and you clearly do not protect us from all difficulty, but you never abandon us and you always show us the way through. You give us what we need to cope and thrive even when thriving means thriving on the other side of the great river.
I believe Jesus when he said, "I am with you always...."
Keep your spirit with me, even when I fail you. And in failure, please forgive me.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God for the grace to meet both the tough and the good times in life.
Pray for all who suffer the aftermath of 9-11.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
b Or gentleness
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
psalm 18
Psalm 18 (NRSV)
.
25 With the loyal you show yourself loyal;
with the blameless you show yourself blameless;
26 with the pure you show yourself pure;
and with the crooked you show yourself perverse.
27 For you deliver a humble people,
but the haughty eyes you bring down.
28 It is you who light my lamp;
the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
29 By you I can crush a troop,
and by my God I can leap over a wall.
30 This God—his way is perfect;
the promise of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
Lord,
I am reminded of the teaching of Jesus that we are forgiven only as we forgive others. The poet believes that our God-like behavior is the window through which we can see your character: Our loyalty reveals your loyalty, our blamelessness allows us to see your own, our purity becomes the window through which we can see yours.
Thank you that you reveal yourself also to the disloyal, the rightly blamed, and the impure. “While we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
However, the poet is on to something profound. Those who have received much will receive even more. Those who have absorbed your character and live your character will see even more of you. And those who refuse first insights and first lessons will be denied that which comes later.
The poet is quick to speak of humility. Living the character traits of God is more than a self-help exercise. They are the gifts of a relationship with you and come ultimately only from you. So, the poet confesses his humility in the midst of his grand victory celebration.
“It is you “who light my lamp;” you who “lights up my darkness.”
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Give thanks for the light that comes only from God.
Ask for light in the midst of your darkness.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen
.
25 With the loyal you show yourself loyal;
with the blameless you show yourself blameless;
26 with the pure you show yourself pure;
and with the crooked you show yourself perverse.
27 For you deliver a humble people,
but the haughty eyes you bring down.
28 It is you who light my lamp;
the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
29 By you I can crush a troop,
and by my God I can leap over a wall.
30 This God—his way is perfect;
the promise of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
Lord,
I am reminded of the teaching of Jesus that we are forgiven only as we forgive others. The poet believes that our God-like behavior is the window through which we can see your character: Our loyalty reveals your loyalty, our blamelessness allows us to see your own, our purity becomes the window through which we can see yours.
Thank you that you reveal yourself also to the disloyal, the rightly blamed, and the impure. “While we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
However, the poet is on to something profound. Those who have received much will receive even more. Those who have absorbed your character and live your character will see even more of you. And those who refuse first insights and first lessons will be denied that which comes later.
The poet is quick to speak of humility. Living the character traits of God is more than a self-help exercise. They are the gifts of a relationship with you and come ultimately only from you. So, the poet confesses his humility in the midst of his grand victory celebration.
“It is you “who light my lamp;” you who “lights up my darkness.”
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Give thanks for the light that comes only from God.
Ask for light in the midst of your darkness.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen
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