God’s Abundance--Aug. 2, 2016

[From Aug. 8, 2006 archive]

You let us feast on your abundance

and give us drink from the river of your delights;

but you do not require abundance in order to be effective,

nor do we need to amass power or authority to do your work.

A handful of troops was sufficient for Gideon’s task;

John baptized without the expected credentials;

Peter healed though he lacked silver and gold.

Your steadfast love is more than enough.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 12; 146; 36; 7

Judg. 7:1-18

Acts 3:1-11

John 1:19-28

           

Selected Verses

Ps. 36:7-8

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

            All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house,

            and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

Judg. 7:2

The LORD said to Gideon, “The troops with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand.  Israel would only take the credit away from me, saying, ‘My own hand has delivered me.’  …  ”

Acts 3:6

But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.”

John 1:25

[The priest and Levites sent by the Pharisees] asked [John the Baptist], “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”