Overtaken by What We Flee From--Oct. 26, 2017

[From Oct. 20, 2005 archive]

What in fear we try to avoid

may be the very thing we encounter

when, contrary to your will, we flee. 

We want to control our future,

but it lies in your hands, not in ours.

Put your Spirit within us,

and lead us to work for justice. 

Remind us how you have rescued

your people from past distress

and answered them in time of testing.

Show us the doors that you will open

for us, if we but wait and watch.

Then grant us courage to walk

through them, even if surrounded

by adversaries. 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 143; 147:12-20; 81; 116
Jer. 42:1-22
1 Corinthians 16:1-9
Matt. 12:15-21

Selected Verses

Ps. 81:7

In distress you called, and I rescued you;

I answered you in the secret place of thunder;

I tested you at the waters of Meribah.  Selah

Jer. 42:15b-16

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: If you are determined to enter Egypt and go to settle there, then the sword that you fear shall overtake you there, in the land of Egypt; and the famine that you dread shall follow close after you into Egypt; and there you shall die.

1 Cor. 16:8-9

But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Matt. 12:18

"Here is my servant, whom I have chosen,

my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.  …"  [From Isaiah]