When Overtaken by Iniquities--Aug. 5, 2016

[From Aug. 10, 2012 archive]

My iniquities have overtaken me until I cannot see;

they are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.

It feels as if all seventy sons of Jerubbaal ruled over me, instead of one.

Lord Jesus, attune me to the words of Mary. "Do whatever he tells you,"

she told the servants; and they did; and you performed a miracle.

Grant me a portion of the boldness you gave Peter and John,

ordinary, uneducated men filled with your Holy Spirit;

and forgive my sin, that I may serve only you.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 84; 148; 25; 40

Judg. 9:1-16; 19-21

Acts 4:13-31

John 2:1-12

Selected Verses

Ps. 40:12b,c

…my iniquities have overtaken me,
          until I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head,
          and my heart fails me.

Judg. 9:2a

"Say in the hearing of all the lords of Shechem, 'Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or that one rule over you?'  …"  [Abimelech to his mother's clan, referring to his half brothers]

Acts 4:13

Now when [the high priest and all his subordinates] saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.

John 2:5

[Jesus'] mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."