Bent Over--Nov. 3, 2010

I. Readings
Psalms 89:1-18, 147:1-11, 1, 33
Zephaniah 2:1-15
Revelation 16:1-11
Luke 13:10-17

II. Selections
Psalm 33:10
The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
      he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
      the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Zephaniah 2:3
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
      who do his commands;
seek righteousness, seek humility;
      perhaps you may be hidden
      on the day of the LORD’s wrath.

Revelation 16:7
And I heard the altar respond,
“Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty,
your judgments are true and just!”

Luke 13:11
And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight.

III. Meditation

Lord God, the Almighty,
Your counsel stands forever,
your thoughts to all generations.

It is said your judgments are true and just;
but sometimes that is hard to accept—
as when you greatly frustrate our plans
and thwart our important decisions.

And then we get bent over until
we are quite unable to stand straight.
But if this is our response, on the day
of your wrath shall we be hidden?

Teach us to make ourselves humble
to do your commands; to seek you,
seek righteousness, and seek humility.
Then we will see your judgments are just.