March 15, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 27, 102, 126
Jeremiah 10:11-24
Romans 5:12-21
John 8:21-32

II. Selections
Psalm 102:26-27
[ The earth and the heavens] will perish, but you endure;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You change them like clothing, and they pass away;
but you are the same, and your years have no end.

Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that the way of human beings is not in their control,
that mortals as they walk cannot direct their steps.

Romans 5:21
...so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 8:31
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples ... "

III. Meditation: Your years have no end.

You created the earth and the heavens;
when they wear out, you change them
like a piece of clothing; but you endure.
You are the same, your years have no end.

Our lives are brief; we do not control them;
as we walk, we cannot direct our steps.
Sin exercises dominion over us in death,
but your grace has dominion over sin.

Only in your enduring love, can we endure,
or as you direct our steps, can we walk straight.
Only as you help us continue in your word
have we any claim to be your disciples.