July 13, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 25, 40, 84
1 Samuel 17:17-30
Acts 10:34-48
Mark 1:1-13

II. Selections
Psalm 40:12
For evils have encompassed me
without number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
until I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.

1 Samuel 17:28
[ David's] eldest brother Eliab heard him talking to the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David. He said, "Why have you come down? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart; for you have come down just to see the battle."

Acts 10:38
" ...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ... " [ Peter to Cornelius and his friends in Caesarea]

Mark 1:4
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

III. Meditation: Evils without number

Though David obeyed his father
and tried to help his brothers,
he was accused of negligence,
presumption, and an evil heart.

When evils without number encompass us
and iniquities overtake us until we cannot see,
when they are more than the hairs on our head
and we need John's baptism of repentance,

then give us the one you anointed
with the Holy Spirit and with power-
the one who went about doing good,
healing all who were oppressed by evil.