Set Free to Use God-Given Talent--July 18, 2021

[From July 21, 2019 archive]

 

Gracious God, in distress we call to you.

Our burden is too heavy, our hands are

tied to our work; in fear we have shut 

ourselves in, as if by gates and bars,  

and buried our talents in the ground.

 

But then, in a voice we had not known,

you speak to us, relieving our burden, 

releasing our hands, tearing down the 

bars, opening the gates, rescuing us.

 

Now no longer conformed to the world;

you transform us, renewing our minds,

that we may discern what is your will,

what is good, acceptable, and perfect--

set free to use the talents you gave us.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 19; 150; 81; 113

1 Sam. 23:7-18

Rom. 11:33-12:2

Matt. 25:14-30

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 81:5b-7c

I hear a voice I had not known:

“I relieved your shoulder of the burden; 
          your hands were freed from the basket. 

In distress you called, and I rescued you…”

 

1 Sam. 23:7

Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah.  And Saul said, “God has given him into my hand; for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.” 

 

Rom. 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.

 

Matt. 25:24-25

“…Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.  Here you have what is yours.’ …”  [Jesus, to his disciples]