Hide Your Face, God--Oct. 12, 2018

Hide your face, God; blot out my sins.

I have heard your voice, but too often

I am choked by the cares and riches

and pleasures of life, and I devote

myself to them, turning from you.

Or I am frightened by thoughts of

justice, self-control, and judgment,

and I postpone commitment to you.

But God, you do not hide your face.

You see me--the good and the bad,

what is righteous and what is sinful.

You see, and you look with sorrow,

but also with compassion and mercy.

You do not blot out our sins; in Christ

you forgive them.  Praise to your name.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 51; 148; 142; 65

Hosea 9:10-17

Acts 24:24-25:12

Luke 8:1-15

Selected Verses

Ps. 51:9

 Hide your face from my sins,
          and blot out all my iniquities.

Hosea 9:10

Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel.  Like the first fruit on the fig tree, in its first season, I saw your ancestors.  But they came to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to a thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved.

Acts 24:25

And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you." 

Luke 8:14

"…As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.  …"  [Jesus, to his disciples]