August 16, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 98, 104, 138
Judges 16:1-14
Acts 7:30-43
John 5:1-18

II. Selections
Psalm 104:24
O LORD, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

Judges 16:5
The lords of the Philistines came to [ Delilah] and said to her, "Coax [ Samson], and find out what makes his strength so great, and how we may overpower him, so that we may bind him in order to subdue him; and we will each give you eleven hundred pieces of silver."

Acts 7:34
" ... ' ...I have surely seen the mistreatment of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their groaning , and I have come down to rescue them. Come now, I will send you to Egypt.' ... " [ Stephen before the Council relates God's words to Moses.]

John 5:9
At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.

III. Meditation: Creation groans

How manifold are your works;
in wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

You have seen the mistreatment of the planet,
you have heard its groaning, you have come
to its rescue, and you send us out to help.

Humankind wants to overpower creation-
paying silver for the key to bind and subdue.
Make us well, that creation may get up and walk.