August 10, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 26, 116, 130
Judges 8:22-35
Acts 4:1-12
John 1:43-51

II. Selections
Psalm 26:1
Vindicate me, O LORD,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

Judges 8:23
Gideon said to (the Israelites who had asked him and his offspring to rule over them), "I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you."

Acts 4:9-10
" ...if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. ... " [ Peter, to the Council]

John 1:47
When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!"

III. Meditation: Walk in integrity, trust without wavering

Gideon walked in his integrity
when he refused to be king
(but later wavered when he asked the people
for gold to make an idol).

Jesus said Nathanael was a man of integrity,
a man free from deceit
(although perhaps this was only a jab
at Nathanael's outspokenness).

Peter did not waver in his trust for you
when he stood before the Council;
discounting the danger,
he spoke with integrity.

Grant us the courage of Peter
to trust you without wavering
and to walk in our integrity.