Dear God, We Wear Ourselves Out--May 5, 2014

We do not worship graven images,

nor do we boast in worthless idols;

but, dear God, remind us how we bow

down to our reputations and to what others

think about us.  Surely we wear ourselves out--

the task of upholding our honor is too heavy for us.

Sooner or later we collapse, and we are put to shame.

You have prepared for us a different way, the way of 

straight paths.  Clothe us in humility, not a search

for adulation; for you give grace to the humble.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 97; 145; 124; 115

Exod. 18:13-27

1 Peter 5:1-14

Matt. 1:1-17, 3:1-6

Selected Verses

Ps. 97:7

All worshipers of images are put to shame,
          those who make their boast in worthless idols;
          all gods bow down before him. 

Exod. 18:18

"…You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.  …"  [Moses' father-in-law to Moses]

1 Peter 5:5b

And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Matt. 3:3

[John the Baptist] is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"