November 04, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 63, 90, 125
Nahum 3:8-19
Revelation 13:11-18
Luke 12:32-48

II. Selections
Psalm 90:17
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands-
O prosper the work of our hands!

Nahum 3:18
Your shepherds are asleep,
O king of Assyria;
your nobles slumber.
Your people are scattered on the mountains
with no one to gather them.

Revelation 13:12
[ The second beast] exercises all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and it makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound has been healed.

Luke 12:48b
From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

III. Meditation: The work of our hands

Your favor has been upon us;
much you have given us-
and much you require of us.
Prosper the work of our hands;
only then can we hope to succeed.

Protect us from evil authority,
that we may worship only you.
Otherwise all help will fail us-
like sheep scattered on a mountain,
with no one to gather them home.