Wisdom Hard to Live by--Sept. 14, 2014

[From Sept. 16, 2012 archive]

If you have put any wisdom in my inner parts

or granted any understanding to my mind,

a central point is this: to worship you, O God,

I must reconcile myself to the one I hate.

Also, I cannot glorify myself, living in luxury,

if I leave the needy to live on an ash heap.

These may not be hard precepts to understand,

but, dear God, I find them hard to live by.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 19; 150; 81; 113

Job 38:1, 18-41

Rev. 18:1-8

Matt. 5:21-26

Selected Verses

Ps. 113:7

[The LORD] raises the poor from the dust,
          and lifts the needy from the ash heap…

Job 38:36

"…Who has put wisdom in the inward parts, or given understanding to the mind?  …"  [The LORD to Job]

Rev. 18:7a

"…As [Babylon the great] glorified herself and lived luxuriously, so give her a like measure of torment and grief.  …"  [A voice from heaven to God's people]

Matt. 5:23

"…So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.  …"  [Jesus to the crowds on the mountain]