24 August 2015
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Monday 24 August 2015
Morning
Prayer
24
Psalms 130, 131 and 133
The first psalm is a lament and recognition of God’s
forgiveness and steadfast love. The second describes deep humility: a calmed
and quieted soul that waits in trust for the Lord. The third psalm rejoices in
family peace and harmony.
2 Samuel 24: 1 – 14
David is impelled to conduct a census of the people.
He requires Joab and the army commanders to do it. Joab protests and asks the
purpose of the exercise and what are David’s intended outcomes. Joab takes the
census and the route is given in the text.
Gad the prophet, comes to David and says that God has
given him 3 choices of punishment: a three-year drought, being pursued by an
enemy or a three-day pestilence. David hand himself to God’s mercy rather than
to human hands.
Acts 21: 1 – 14
Paul continues his journey towards Jerusalem. At Tyre
disciples warn him not to go to Jerusalem. He travels to Caesarea and at
Philip’s house a prophet Agabus from Judea arrives, takes Paul’s belt and ties
his own hands and feet with it saying that the Jews will bind Paul thus and
hand him to the Gentiles. Paul says he is willing and ready to be bound and
even to die for Christ in Jerusalem. The people in Philip’s house became silent
except to say, “The Lord’s will be done”.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Peacefully grazing Eurobin Vic. L Osburn |
Monday 24 August 2015
Evening
Prayer
Psalms 132 and 134
The first psalm is a reminder to God that David
promised to bring the Ark of the Covenant to a permanent dwelling in Jerusalem.
God indicates that if David’s offspring keep the commandments then the dynasty
will last.
The second psalm is a blessing. Come bless the Lord.
Lift up your hands and bless the Lord. May the Lord bless the earth.
Job 1
Job is a very wealthy and successful property owner
with a large family who can afford to have rotating feasts in their homes.
After each feast Job makes sin offerings in case any of his offspring might
have sinned.
The story has “the accuser” talking with God and
pointing out that it is easy for a successful, protected person to love God.
Does Job love God for God’s sake or for the benefits that come to him? The
accuser is given permission to take Job’s possessions but not to harm him. On
one day Job loses all his crops, livestock and family. Job rises, tears his
robe, shaves his head and worships he says, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb
and naked I shall return there: the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord” (v.21). Job does not sin or charge God with
wrongdoing.
Romans 14: 13 – 23
We are not to pass judgement on
each other and we are not to cause others to stumble. For example, with eating
rites, we are neither to offend by eating something our brother or sister deems
unclean nor to make them eat it. We are not to push food restrictions on others
for it might divert the person from Christ and salvation. We are to pursue
peace for mutual encouragement. All food is clean but it isn’t good to eat or
drink things that make others stumble. If someone’s conscience says they should
not eat something, then eating it is sin. We are to respect people dietary considerations.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Ruins of the old telegraph station Eucla WA L Osburn |
Eternal
God in all times and in all circumstances you are the same Lord who loves us
and wants us to be in relationship with you. Help us through the joys, the
tragedies, the gains, the losses, the diversity and the challenges life brings
so that we may always bless you, worship you and treat each other with respect
and love through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
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