Destined Not for Wrath--Dec. 5, 2016

When the powers of heaven are shaken,

and people faint from fear and foreboding,

remind us, O God, you have destined us not

for wrath, but for salvation through our Lord

Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether

we are asleep or awake we may live with him.

Draw us up from the miry bog of selfishness,

of extravagant building, of mindless growth,

of thoughtlessness for the rest of the world,

and set our feet on the solid rock of love

for your creation, and all living things.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 122; 145; 40; 67

Isa. 5:8-17

1 Thess. 5:1-11

Luke 21:20-28

           

Selected Verses

Ps. 40:2

[The LORD] drew me up from the desolate pit,
          out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
          making my steps secure. 

Isa. 5:8

Ah, you who join house to house,
     who add field to field,
until there is room for no one but you,
     and you are left to live alone
     in the midst of the land! 

1 Thess. 5:9-10

For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 

Luke 21:26

"…People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  …"  [Jesus to the people in Jerusalem]