Though We Lament like the Jackal--Oct. 16, 2016

Lord, you are our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Trouble comes to us all--

all of us are tested.

We think we are standing,

but if we don't watch out, we fall.

We may lament like the jackal,

mourn like the ostrich,

but all to no avail.

Peter was tested, too,

and many times he failed,

yet he and people like him

were the rock on which

you built your church.

Give us courage and

strength like

Peter's.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 67; 150; 46; 93

Micah 1:1-9

1 Cor. 10:1-13

Matt. 16:13-20

           

Selected Verses

Ps. 46:1

God is our refuge and strength,
          a very present help in trouble.  

Micah 1:6

For this I will lament and wail;
     I will go barefoot and naked;
I will make lamentation like the jackals,
     and mourning like the ostriches. 

1 Cor. 10:12-13a

So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall.   No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone.

Matt. 16:18

"…And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.  …"  [Jesus to Simon]