August 24, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 27, 36, 80
Job 1:1-22
Acts 8:26-40
John 6:16-27

II. Selections
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?

Job 1:1-22
There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.

Acts 8:32
Now the passage of the scripture that [ the Ethiopian eunuch] was reading was this:
"Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth. ... "

John 6:20
But Jesus said to [ his disciples], "It is I; do not be afraid."

III. Meditation: Whom shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear?
My life is in your hand:
my welfare and my being,
the lives and well-being of all I love.
Surely I must fear you.

What does it mean to fear you?
Fearing you, Job turned from evil.
Is that what it means to fear you-
to be blameless and upright?
Only then, light and salvation?

Then no hope for me; I am bent with blame.
Lord Jesus, you had to conquer fear;
you were led to slaughter, though blameless.
In your victory, we have our victory;
you are with us, and we are not afraid.