When Our Foundations Are Shaken--Oct. 9, 2017

God, we may try to please everyone in everything we do--

giving no offense, seeking not our own advantage,

but that of many, so that they may be saved--

but what do we do when confronted

by fierce evil, by demoniacs?

And what if the evil derives from our leaders,

who appear to have no understanding,

who walk around in darkness,

shaking the foundations

of the earth?

Show us how to resist evil, but while

doing everything to your glory,

not our own, lest we be

 misled into evil

ourselves.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 5; 145; 82; 29

2 Kings 21:1-18

1 Cor. 10:14-11:1

Matt. 8:28-34

Selected Verses

Ps. 82:5

 [The Gods in the divine council] have neither knowledge nor understanding,
          they walk around in darkness;
          all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

2 Kings 21:9

But [the people of Judah] did not listen; Manasseh misled them to do more evil than the nations had done that the LORD destroyed before the people of Israel.

1 Cor. 10:31-33

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.  Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved.

Matt. 8:28

When [Jesus] came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him.  They were so fierce that no one could pass that way.