Lands and Towns and Fruits--July 25, 2010

I. Readings
Psalms 67, 150, 46, 93
Joshua 24:1-15
Acts 28:23-31
Mark 2:23-28

II. Selections
Psalm 67:1-2
May God be gracious to us and bless us,
      and make his face to shine upon us,
That your way may be known upon earth,
      your saving power among all nations.

Joshua 24:13
I gave you a land on which you had not labored, and towns that you had not built, and you live in them; you eat the fruit of vineyards and oliveyards that you did not plant.

Acts 28:24
Some were convinced by what he said, while others refused to believe.

Mark 2:24
The Pharisees said to [Jesus], “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?”

III. Meditation

Loving and Gracious God,

You have given us land on which we have not labored;
we live in towns that we did not build; and we eat
the fruits of fields in which we have not worked.

In spite of your manifold mercies, too often we fail to accept
what you have done. Instead of being grateful, we bicker
over minute details that blind us to your goodness.

Convince us of the error of our ways. Be gracious to us and bless us,
and make your face shine upon us, that your way may be known
upon earth and your saving power among all nations.