March 13, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 25, 34, 91
Jeremiah 7:21-34
Romans 4:13-25
John 7:37-52

II. Selections
Psalm 91:4-6
...[ The LORD] will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
or the arrow that flies by day,
or the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
or the destruction that wastes at noonday.

Jeremiah 7: 34
And I will bring to an end the sound of mirth and gladness, the voice of the bride and bridegroom in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; for the land shall become a waste.

Romans 4:20
No distrust made [ Abraham] waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God ...

John 7:37-38a
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. ... "

III. Meditation: Your promises

We have your promises. Some are comforting:
When we thirst for you, you will give us drink;
your protecting wings will be a refuge for us;
we need have no fear of terror by night
or arrows by day, of pestilence in darkness
or the destruction that wastes at noonday.

But we also find promises of terrible destruction:
the end of mirth and gladness; a stilling of the voice
of bride and bridegroom; a total wasting of the land.
We wonder: do all these promises come from you?
Abraham did not waver concerning your promise-
he grew strong in faith as he gave glory to you.