Beset like a City under Siege--March 29, 2014

You were beset by your enemies,

Jesus, as a city under siege.

They wanted you to live by tradition;

you lived by your steadfast love.

When I am beset by frets and worries

remind me that you are faithful,

and that you will provide the way

for me to summon my strength.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 43; 149; 31; 143

Gen. 47:27-48:7

1 Cor. 10:1-3

Mark 7:1-23

Selected Verses

Ps. 31:21

Blessed be the LORD,
          for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
          when I was beset as a city under siege. 

Gen. 48:2

When Jacob was told, "Your son Joseph has come to you," he summoned his strength and sat up in bed.

1 Cor. 10:13

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Mark 7:5

So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?"