Our hope is in you, O God:
you execute justice for the oppressed;
you give food to the hungry;
you keep faith forever.
We are not like you.
We bargain over small details,
as we struggle to make sure that
no one takes unfair advantage.
To preserve our pride,
we make theological arguments
that will enhance our status,
or we make excuses to justify
our poor performance.
Teach us we have no need
to justify our existence;
we need only stand in awe,
through faith in your love,
as we find it in Jesus.
Lectionary Readings
Ps. 42; 146;
102; 133
Josh. 2:15-24
Rom. 11:13-24
Matt. 25:14-30
Selected Verses
Ps. 146:5-7
Happy are those
whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD their God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
whose hope is in the LORD their God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.
who gives food to the hungry.
Josh. 2:19
If any of you go
out of the doors of your house into the street, they shall be responsible for
their own death, and we shall be innocent; but if a hand is laid upon any who
are with you in the house, we shall bear the responsibility for their
death.
Rom. 11:19-20
You will say,
"Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." That
is true. They were broken off because of
their unbelief, but you stand only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in
awe.
Matt. 25:24-25
"…Then the
one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew
that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where
you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent
in the ground. Here you have what is
yours.' …" [Jesus to his
disciples]
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