September 19, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 47, 57, 85
2 Kings 5:1-19
1 Corinthians 4:8-21
Matthew 5:21-26

II. Selections
Ps. 57:2
I cry to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

2 Kings 5:13
But [ Naaman's] servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, 'Wash, and be clean'?"

1 Cor. 4:11-13
To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless, and we grow weary from the work of our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we speak kindly. We have become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this very day.

Matt. 5:23-24
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

III. Meditation: Through us or in spite of us
Sovereign God, you fulfill your purpose for us. We resist, of course. We think you want something difficult from us, and sometimes you do. In your service Paul was hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed and beaten and homeless, and weary from his work. When reviled, he blessed; when persecuted, he endured; when slandered, he spoke kindly. He became like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things. But sometimes what you ask is so simple and easy, we reject the request as unworthy. Something like humbling ourselves by washing in our adversary's water. Or like reconciling ourselves with a brother or sister. Perhaps these simple and easy tasks are the most challenging of all. Remind us that, whether we accept or resist the challenge, your purpose will be fulfilled.