Before the Night Comes, when No One Can Work--Sept. 1, 2016

Sometimes when we are brought low, O God--

when are spirit is broken and we have lost all hope--

it is in such times that we experience your saving grace.

That said, we may also find you through worship,

when we experience a call to do your work.

If so, while it is day, may we work

the works you send us to do,

before the night comes,

when no one can work.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 116; 147:12-20; 26; 130

Job 16:16-22, 17:1, 17:13-16

Acts 13:1-12

John 9:1-17

           

Selected Verses

Ps. 116:6

The LORD protects the simple;
          when I was brought low, he saved me. 

Job 17:1, 16

"My spirit is broken, my days are extinct, the grave is ready for me.  …where then is my hope?  Who will see my hope?  Will it go down to the bars of Sheol?  Shall we descend together into the dust?" [Job to Eliphaz and the other friends]

Acts 13:1-2

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul.  While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

John 9:4

"…We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.  …"  [Jesus to his disciples]