A Place Called Fair Havens--Oct. 12, 2010

I. Readings
Psalms 123, 146, 30, 86
Hosea 12:2-14
Acts 26:24-27:8
Luke 8:40-56

II. Selections
Psalm 30:4-5a
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones,
      and give thanks to his holy name,
For his anger is but for a moment;
      his favor is for a lifetime.

Hosea 12:6
But as for you, return to your God
      hold fast to love and justice,
      and wait continually for your God.

Acts 27:8
Sailing past [Salmone] with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

Luke 8:49
While [Jesus] was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.”

III. Meditation

Sometimes the sailing is difficult, and we think
we will never reach a place called Fair Havens.

Sometimes we fear it is your anger,
not your favor, that will last a lifetime.

Eventually we may even conclude
there is no point in troubling you
any longer with requests for mercy.

At such times constrain us to return to you,
our God, as we hold fast to love and justice,
as we wait continually for you.

In all circumstances keep us faithful,
singing praises to you and
giving thanks to your holy name.