When a Beast Rises out of the Earth--Nov. 3, 2018

God, you are my God, I seek you,

and my soul thirsts for you.

My flesh faints for you,

in a dry and weary land

where there is no water.

But when evil rises before

me, a beast up from the earth,

then am I better than anyone else?

Will you protect me from all harm?

I believe that we need not be afraid,

because it is your good pleasure

to give all of us the kingdom;

still, laying up treasure

in heaven is hard

for me.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 63; 149; 125; 90

Nahum 3:8-19

Rev. 13:11-18

Luke 12:32-48

Selected Verses

Ps. 63:1

O God, you are my God, I seek you,
          my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
          as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 

Nahum 3:8

Are you better than Thebes
     that sat by the Nile,
with water around her,
     her rampart a sea,
     water her wall? 

Rev. 13:11

Then I saw another beast that rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 

Luke 12:32-33

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions, and give alms.  Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.  …"  [Jesus, to his disciples]