23 July 2015
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Thursday 23 July 2015
Morning
Prayer
Psalms
54 and 55: 1 – 12
The
first psalm is a plea to be saved from enemies, a statement of faith and a
promise to give a free will offering to God once the psalmist is triumphant.
The
second psalm portion is another plea for aid against enemies. The psalmist
fears for his life and wants to run away. There is trouble around the city
walls and the psalmist asks that the enemies plans be confused.
2 Samuel 6
King David travels to the house of Abinadab where the
Ark of the Covenant is housed and with a multitude of people, singing, playing
music and dancing brings it back to Jerusalem. At one point the Uzzah reaches
out to steady the ark and immediately dies. David becomes so afraid he decides
to leave the ark at the house of Obed-edom.
After 3 months and a report of the growing fortunes of
Obed-edom’s household David goes up and brings the ark to Jerusalem. Before
going even 6 steps he made a sacrifice. David dances for the Lord with all his
might. The ark arrives accompanied by shouting and trumpets.
Michal, sees David dancing and despises him.
The ark is installed in a tent. Offerings are made and
every person, man woman and child, are fed with meat, bread and raisin cakes.
David returns to bless all the members of his
household but Michal comes out to meet him and criticises him for his
shamelessness in his public dancing. David says he was dancing for the Lord and
he will abase himself more if necessary for the Lord, but if his dancing
pleased young women too, so be it.
Michal remains childless, implying that she did not
benefit from the blessing of the household.
John 7: 32 – 53
The Pharisees, hearing the muttering about whether
Jesus is the messiah, send temple police to arrest Jesus. Jesus foretells his future into a place where
no one can follow. The hearers again are quite concrete in their thinking.
On the last day of the festival Jesus reminds people
that scripture says out of the believer’s heart comes streams of living water.
He invites them to come and drink. When the crowd hears this again they debate
whether Jesus is the Messiah. The temple police return to the Pharisees without
Jesus. They are scolded and told Jesus has deceived them – that none of the
Pharisees believe only the ignorant people do. Nicodemus, proposes that Jesus
be given a hearing first before judging him. The Pharisees ridicule Nicodemus
suggesting he too is from Galilee and that no prophet ever came form Galilee.
They all go home.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
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| Fresh running stream Karri Forest Nannup WA 2014 L Osburn |
Thursday
23 July 2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalms
55: 13 – 15 (16 – 17) 18 – 28
The
psalmist’s enemy is a close friend. It is harder to bear treachery from someone
close. The friend has tricked another and done great harm. God will hear and
respond. Lay our burdens on God. God’s is the punishment not ours. Trust God.
Proverbs 6: 20 – 7: 5
The commandments are a lamp and the teaching is a
light and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life (v. 23).
The proverb warns against adultery for the harm it
causes the soul – not just the obvious risks to all involved. If a thief steals
food because of hunger and gets caught there is a penalty but adultery is
senseless. The wounds and the dishonour cannot be wiped away.
Keep the commandments. Bind them around you to stop
even your fingers from acting without them. Write them in your heart. Take
wisdom as your sister and insight as your closest friend.
Romans 2: 25 – 3: 8
Paul continues the discussion on circumcision and sin.
He says that if a circumcised person breaks the Law, that person stands before
God on an equal footing as an uncircumcised person, since circumcision is only
and outward sign of an inner commitment. He asks what advantage is it to be a
Jew? The Jews are the ones who have been entrusted with God’s communications
and with recording God’s steadfastness. Their behaviours have shown God’s love.
That does not mean however that we should deliberately behave poorly so that
God’s love is revealed. If that was true there could be no judgement. It would
be a false representation of our belief and people who suggest it would deserve
condemnation.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
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| High and strong walkway in the canopy Valley of the Giants, Walpole WA 2014 L Osburn |
True and
holy Lord, your commandments, teaching and discipline bring us to a worthy
life. Help us to write your commandments in our hearts, keep making the inner
commitment and using them to train and discipline ourselves to act with wisdom
and insight so that we may continue to be your beloved through Jesus Christ
your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
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