Till Destroying Storms Pass By--July 27, 2015

[From July 29, 2013 archive]

There are times to take refuge

in the shadow of your wings—

when destroying storms are near,

when we have lost and honored leader,

or when disagreement threatens our unity—

but eventually the time comes

to let our hands be strong

and to be valiant.

Help us to discern the times, O God.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 57; 145; 85; 47

2 Sam. 2:1-11

Acts 15:36-16:5

Mark 6:14-29

Selected Verses

Ps. 57:1b

…in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

            until the destroying storms pass by.

2 Sam. 2:7

“…Therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”  [David, king over Judah, to the people of Jabesh-gilead, who buried King Saul]

Acts 15:39

The disagreement [between Barnabas and Paul] became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cypress.

Mark 6:29

When [John the Baptist’s] disciples heard about [his beheading], they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.