Standing firm To hear the groans of the prisoners To set free those who were doomed to die. Psalm 102:20 Read 1 Kings 21:17—21 Because the Lord is the protector of the alien, the orphan and the widow, because he has declared that the poor will always be with us and our hand will…
A picture of prayer May the hand of God protect us. May the shield of God defend us. St Patrick Read Exodus 17:8—15 I see in this story something my doubting friends will set to one side (at its most polite). Others will pity me for reading texts like this. But for all that,…
God himself is the reason Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Psalm 138:8 Read Deuteronomy 7:6—11 I have this in common with the Israel of God: I am called from among the peoples and there is no reason I can give beyond God himself. It’s…
The visitation of the Lord Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised In the city of our God. Psalm 48:1 Read Luke 19:41—46 What moves Jesus to tears? What is the deep pain that he cannot brush off? Surely it is the outright horror that those he made, made for relationship with…
Glad surrender Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 Read Luke 12:42—48 This is slightly gruesome. For the slovenly slave it is. It is a sorry miscalculation on his part, to think that he can indulge his own brutality at whim, and not attend to…
The total exchange As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; When I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness. Psalm 17:15 Read Matthew 13:44—46 However often I come to these sayings of Jesus I am sure he does not cease to address me, and with a new word, and with…
More wise than not O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? Psalm 15:1 Read 1 Kings 3:21—28 It’s a rather sordid story. No one was setting out to be Godly. There are no fathers taking any responsibility. There is no conversion to God at the end.…
A gentle spirit A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17 Read 1 Peter 3:1—6 Of course I immediately want to jump to and rewrite the scripture for my own time. I want to ensure the equality of the relationship. That is the signature tune of my time.…
A different wisdom Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock! Psalm 80:1 Read Genesis 41:32—41 Here is a different wisdom. It does not come from old age and long experience. Joseph is a young man. If I were him I would be happy to forget my recent past.…
Better than gold For God’s foolishness Is wiser than human wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:25 Read Proverbs 8:11—21 There is no end to the constant sorting out process in my life. I’m making choices by the day and the hour. Not everything I can have do I have. Not everything that I can admire do…