Rich, but in Poverty--Jan. 8, 2019

Although by worldly standards

we are rich, you know our affliction,

O God; you know our poverty.

You execute justice for the oppressed,

you give food to the hungry.

You are displeased when there is no justice,

when no one intervenes for the poor.

What signs and wonders must you display

to make us believe and take action?

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 46; 146; 27; 93

Isa. 59:15b-21

Rev. 2:8-17

John 4:46-54

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 executes justice for the oppressed;
          who gives food to the hungry.

Isa. 59:15b-16

The LORD saw it, and it displeased him
          that there was no justice.
He saw that there was no one,
          and was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm brought him victory,
          and his righteousness upheld him. 

Rev. 2:8-9a

"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life: I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich.  …"

John 4:46-54

Then Jesus said to [the royal official whose son lay ill], “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe."