A River to Make Us Glad--July 25, 2021

[From July 24, 2005 archive; modified from my journal, July 27, 2003]

 

Lord, your love is a mighty river to make us glad,

but also a mighty current of judgment on us.

 

When we depend upon physical prowess

or positions of power rather than upon you,

we shall fall and perish with our weapons.

 

When we see the hungry or thirsty or stranger

or naked or sick or prisoner and do not see you,

we are under your judgment.

 

Grant that we may rejoice in hope,

be patient in suffering, and persevere in prayer,

so that we may be instruments of your love

for all who are in need.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 67; 150; 46; 93

2 Sam. 1:17-27

Rom. 12:9-21

Matt. 25:31-46

 

Selected Verses

 Ps. 46:4-5a

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 

          the holy habitation of the Most High. 

God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved…

 

2 Sam. 1:27

How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished! 

[David’s lamentation over Saul and Jonathan]

 

Rom. 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

 

Matt. 25:44

“…Then [those on the king’s left hand] also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’…”  [Jesus, to his disciples, in a parable]