July 29, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 56, 111, 118
Joshua 23:1-16
Romans 15:25-33
Matthew 27:11-23

II. Selections
Psalm 56:1-2a
Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me;
all day long foes oppress me;
my enemies trample on me all day long,
for many fight against me.

Joshua 23:16
" ...If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which he enjoined on you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from the good land that he has given to you." [ Joshua to all the people]

Romans 15:31-32
...that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.

Matthew 27:22
Pilate said to [ the crowd], "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" All of them said, "Let him be crucified!"

III. Meditation: Protection from tramplers

Joshua warned of calamitous consequences
for the people who disobeyed you.
No doubt Joshua was correct, but hard times fell also
upon those who were faithful.

All day long his foes oppressed Jesus,
all day long his enemies trampled on him,
until at last they howled
their demand for crucifixion.

Paul, too, encountered persecution.
He asked the Roman Christians to pray for his rescue,
that he might visit them with joy
and find refreshment in their company.

It was not to be so for Paul.
Apparently it is not to avoid catastrophe
that you call us to faithfulness.
Why should we expect it to be?