When We Are Brought Low--Oct. 1, 2015

Holy God, we would like to serve you

by making wonderful prophesies

or by casting out demons

and doing deeds

of power.

But sometimes

what we need to do is

to forgo what is rightly ours

and in silence endure the loss of  

anything that would put an obstacle

in the way of the Gospel of Christ.

In so doing we may learn this:

that you protect the simple,

and even that it is when

we are brought low

that you save us.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 116; 147:12-20; 26; 130

2 Kings 18:28-37

1 Cor. 9:1-15

Matt. 7:22-29

Selected Verses

Ps. 116:6

The LORD protects the simple;
          when I was brought low, he saved me. 

2 Kings 18:36

But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s command was, “Do not answer [Rabshakeh].” 

1 Cor. 9:12b

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

Matt. 7:22

“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’  …"  [Jesus to the crowds on the mountain]