November 08, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 98, 104, 138
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Revelation 18:1-14
Luke 14:1-11

II. Selections
Psalm 138:6
For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly;
but the haughty he perceives from far away.

Zephaniah 3:17-18a
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
he will renew you in his love;
he will exalt over you with loud singing
as on a day of festival.

Revelation 18:14
"The fruit for which your soul longed
has gone from you,
and all your dainties and your splendor
are lost to you,
never to be found again!"
[ Merchants mourning over the downfall of 'Babylon the great,' i.e., Rome]

Luke 14:11
" ...For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
[ Jesus to his dinner host, a leader of the Pharisees]

III. Meditation: Humbled or exalted

"All who exalt themselves will be humbled;
all who humble themselves will be exalted."

With gladness you rejoice over the lowly,
renewing them in your love and exalting
over them with loud, festive singing.

The rich with their dainties and splendors
are haughty over their riches; them and
their wealth you perceive from afar.