Hemmed in, Behind and Before--July 15, 2018

Jesus, the Holy One of God,

you hem me in, behind and before,

and you lay your hand upon me.

The man with an unclean spirit

recognized who you were--

should it be hard for me?

Paul was ready to die for you;

may your Spirit give me strength

and courage to live or to die,

knowing that wherever I go

you are with me.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 103; 150; 117; 139

Josh. 1:1-18

Acts 21:3-15

Mark 1:21-27

Selected Verses

Ps. 139:5

You hem me in, behind and before,
          and lay your hand upon me. 

Josh. 1:9

"…I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  [The LORD to Joshua]

Acts 1:13

Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?  For I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

Mark 1:23-24

Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?  Have you come to destroy us?  I know who you are, the Holy One of God."