September 18, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 30, 86, 123
1 Kings 21:17-29
1 Corinthians 1:20-31
Matthew 4:12-17

II. Selections
Psalm 123:4
Our soul has had more than its fill
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.

1 Kings 21:28-29
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: "Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son's days I will bring the disaster on his house."

1 Corinthians 1:28-29
...God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God.

Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

III. Meditation: For the kingdom has come near

Those who are low and despised in the world
receive more than their fill of scorn from those
who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.

Why do you seem to favor these,
the low and despised in the world?
Once he humbled himself you even
showed mercy to the wretch, Ahab.

Is that a mark of what your kingdom is like? ;
Must we take seriously your call to repent?