Our Hopes are Set on You, the Living God--Feb. 16, 2014

[from Feb. 12, 2012 archive]

Our hopes are set on you, the living God,

our strength in toil and struggle.

You look upon our afflictions; and you comfort us,

though not always as we would choose.

You raise the poor from the dust, lift the needy from the ashes.

And we must do our part--can we who are wealthy expect

to enter your kingdom when so many are poor?

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 19; 150; 81; 113

Gen. 29:20-35

1 Tim. 3:14-4:10

Mark 10:23-31

Selected Verses

Ps. 113:3

He raises the poor from the dust,
          and lifts the needy from the ash heap…

Gen. 29:32

Leah conceived and bore a son, and she named him Reuben; for she said, "Because the LORD has looked on my affliction; surely now my husband will love me."

1 Tim. 4:10

For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Mark 10:23

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"