Our Words, and God’s--May 7, 2020

“Words matter,” we often say, O God,

and that is true of our words—

our angry words are hurtful—

but your words matter much more.

You send out your word, hearts melt;

you declared your word,

by which we try to live;

your word is at work in all believers.

We may break the stones you write on,

and even break the rules,

but we can never destroy

your Living Word, who bears the name

of Jesus.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 47; 147:12-20; 68; 113

Exod. 34:1-17

1 Thess. 2:13-20

Matt. 5:21-26

Selected Verses

Ps. 147:18-19

He sends out his word, and melts them;
          he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
He declares his word to Jacob,
          his statutes and ordinances to Israel.

Exod. 34:1

The LORD said to Moses, “Cut two tablets of stone like the former ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets, which you broke.  …”

1 Thess. 2:13

We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God's word, which is also at work in you believers.

Matt. 5:22

“…But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire.  …”  [Jesus, to the crowds on the mountain]