August 25, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 32, 130, 139
Job 2:1-13
Acts 9:1-9
John 6:27-40

II. Selections
Psalm 139:19
O that you would kill the wicked, O God,
and that the bloodthirsty would depart from me ...

Job 2:10b
" ...Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Acts 9:1
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ...

John 6:28
Then [ the crowd] said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?"

III. Meditation: Wickedness and death

Shall we pray you to kill the wicked?
Saul was wicked, because for your sake
he wanted to kill those he perceived as wicked.

Suffering and death are not your punishment for wickedness.
According to the account we have, Job was not wicked;
but you allowed him to suffer until he wished to die.

What must we do to perform your works in regard to wickedness?
Perhaps pray that you will kill wickedness in us and in others.
Better said, that you will overcome all wickedness with love.