A Taunt, or a Challenge to Commitment?--March 25, 2016

It was a mocking taunt flung at the Psalmist,

like the mocking taunts made to Jesus,

but to us it becomes a challenge:

To commit our cause to you,

and let you deliver and

rescue according to

your gracious will.

This we are able to do if

we trust in your compassion

according to the abundance of

your steadfast love, and trust that

you do not willingly afflict anyone.

O God, make us obedient children,

conformed not to the vain desires

we once held in our ignorance,

rather by grace transformed

 by the promise of Jesus

that we may follow

where he leads.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 22; 148; 105; 130

Lam. 3:1-9; 19-33

1 Peter 1:10-20

John 13:36-38

Selected Verses

Ps. 22:8

“Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver--
          let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”

Lam. 3:32

Although [the Lord] causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.

1 Peter 1:14

Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance.

John 13:36

Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?"  Jesus answered, "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward."