May 09, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 66, 98, 116
Exodus 32:21-34
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 5:11-16

II. Selections
Psalm 66:10
For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us as silver is tried.

Exodus 32:21
Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?"

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

Matthew 5:11
"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ..."

III. Meditation: Aaron, not the Thessalonians
You tested Aaron,
and tried him as silver is tried.
Unable to resist
the push of the throng,
Aaron caved in-
then, faced with the ire of Moses,
compounded his sin
and placed all the blame
on the people.

I cannot fault Aaron.
Your assurance, that I am blessed
when on your account people revile
and persecute and utter evil against me,
seldom stiffens my backbone
enough to warrant the blessing.
Forgive me. I resemble Aaron,
not the Thessalonians who endured persecution
and set an example for all believers.