October 10, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 1, 33, 89:1-18
2 Kings 22:14-23:3
1 Corinthians 11:23-34
Matthew 9:9-17

II. Selections
Psalm 1:6
...for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

2 Kings 23:3
The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to follow his decrees, and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. All the people joined in the covenant.

1 Corinthians 11:32
But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

Matthew 9:16
" ...Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous, but sinners." [ Jesus, to the Pharisees]

III. Meditation: The way of the wicked

We have stood before you and made a covenant
to follow your statutes with all our heart and soul;
but every day, in many ways, we break the covenant.
Our way is often the way of the wicked, not the righteous.
It is therefore a comfort that Jesus came to call sinners;
but still we ask your discipline to amend our ways,
for surely the way of the wicked will perish.