Friends Who Labored and Toiled--May 11, 2022

From May 6, 2020 archive]

 

God, with thanks I remember before you

friends to whom I am much indebted.

 

I remember their labor and toil, 

how they worked night and day,

and were not a burden to others.

 

They knew your name,

put their trust in you.

 

You were with them, 

you gave them rest.

 

Whether they were least or greatest

in your kingdom is not for me to say,

but I believe you have not forsaken them.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 99; 147:1-11; 9; 118

Exod. 33:1-23

1 Thess. 2:1-12

Matt. 5:17-20

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 9:10

And those who know your name put their trust in you,
          for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

 

Exod. 33:14

[The LORD] said [to Moses], “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 

 

1 Thess. 2:9

You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 

 

Matt. 5:19

“…Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  …”  [Jesus, to the crowds on the mountain]