Alas, if We Rely on Missiles--Dec. 22, 2016

 God, you are our strength,

our fortress and deliverer,

the rock in whom we take refuge,

our shield, our salvation, our stronghold.

You have brought down the powerful

from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.

Alas for us if we rely on our missiles, if we

trust in our armies because they are strong,

but do not look to the Holy One of Israel,

or consult with you and your will for us.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 18:1-20; 147:12-20; 126; 62

Isa. 31:1-9

Rev. 21:22-22:5

Luke 1:39-56

           

Selected Verses

Ps. 18:1-2

I love you, O LORD, my strength.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,

          my God, my rock in whom I take refuge,

          my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Isa. 31:1

Alas for those who go down to Egypt for help
          and who rely on horses,
who trust in chariots because they are many
          and in horsemen because they are very strong,
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel
          or consult the LORD! 

Rev. 22:2b

On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Luke 1:52

"…He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
          and lifted up the lowly…"  [Mary to Elizabeth]