I. Readings
Psalms 6, 20, 88
Numbers 24:1-13
Romans 8:12-17
Matthew 22:15-22
II. Selections
Psalm 6:1
O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger,
or discipline me in your wrath.
Numbers 24:1
Now Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, so he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness.
Romans 8:15a
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.
Matthew 22:15
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap [ Jesus] in what he said.
III. Meditation: What others think of us
Just as Jesus was alert to those who plotted to entrap him,
it is appropriate to be alert to what others think of us;
but what matters most is what you think of us.
Balaam was ready to bless Israel without waiting
for omens, once he realized this would gain your favor;
and Paul urges us to receive a spirit of adoption from you
rather than a spirit of slavery that makes us fall back into a fear
that you will rebuke us in your anger; or discipline us in your wrath.
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