It took a year to read the Bible, then almost 9 months to read the Apocrypha. Now, I'm going to try to offer reflections on the Narrative Lectionary. But, I won't be posting daily--at least, for a while.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Reflection on One-Year-Bible readings for December 19

On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul.
(Psalm 138:3)

Zephaniah 1:1-3:20
When you're tired of hearing people mischaracterize the being whom they call the Old Testament God, remember what the OT actually does say about God, including these verses from the prophet Zephaniah
"Sing out loud. Rejoice and exult. The Lord has taken away the judgments against you. You don't need to keep being afraid."
They may not have deserved God's mercy and grace any more than we do, but God is merciful. They may have known disaster, as many of us have, too. Yet, they knew that God was still with them, still renewing them to face the future after the disaster has past.

Revelation 10:1-11

Psalm 138:1-8
Thanksgiving for support during troubles.

Proverbs 30:11-14
There are those who curse their fathers
and do not bless their mothers.
There are those who are pure in their own eyes 
yet are not cleansed of their filthiness.
There are those--how lofty are their eyes, 
how high their eyelids lift!
There are those whose teeth are swords, 
whose teeth are knives, 
to devour the poor from off the earth, 
the needy from among mortals.

Prayer for Today: O Lord, thank you for the times you have shown us mercy. Now, we ask that you guide us into ways that we won't have to pray for forgiveness. Remind us during our bad times that you are with us. Amen.

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