When Our Soul Is Full of Troubles--July 29, 2022

[From July 30, 2010 archive;

adapted from my journal of July 30, 2004]

 

When our soul is full of troubles

and our life draws near to Sheol,

recall to us your promises

and your saving acts;

 

then take away our fear,

that willingly we may

offer ourselves to you

and bless your name.

 

Pour out your Spirit upon us;

remind us we are not too old

to dream dreams, any more than

we are too young to see visions.

 

Forbid that we should look

for the living among the dead;

and teach us to worship you,

O Christ, our risen Lord.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 88; 148; 6; 20

Judg. 5:1-18

Acts 2:1-21

Matt. 28:1-10

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 88:3

For my soul is full of troubles, 

            and my life draws near to Sheol.

 

Judg. 5:2

“When locks are long in Israel,

            when the people offer themselves willingly—

            bless the LORD!  …  ”  [The Song of Deborah and Barak]

 

Acts 2:17

“…‘In the last days it will be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

                        and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

                        and your old men shall dream dreams.  …  ’ ”  

[Peter, quoting Joel]

 

Matt. 28:5-6

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.  Come, see the place where he lay.  …  ”