Reflection on the One-Year-Bible readings for December 6

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, 
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
(Psalm 125:1)

Hosea 4:1-5:15
Israel has sinned and deserves punishment. There's still a chance for Judah (4:12-14) or not (5:14). Sinners must acknowledge their guilt (5:25).

2 John 1:1-13
The letter addresses the church as a dear lady. Gail O'Day questions whether this feminizing image enhances the value of female leadership in the church or whether it indicates a patriarchal structure of governance (Women's Bible Commentary). If we think that the lady addressed in the letter is an actual person rather than the whole congregation, the same question applies.

Psalm 125:1-5
Psalm 125 begins with a statement of confidence: Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people from this time on and forevermore.

As I thought about these verses, I was struck first by the psalmist's use of place. That is, he looked around him where he was and saw God right there right them, and further knew that God had always been there and always would be. We are like that big mountain over there. We cannot no more be moved than it can. God is like the mountains that surround this city. I can step out into the street and see them all around us. God is like that, all around us.

Perhaps I will remember to look around today and to let familiar objects remind me of God and God's qualities and the qualities of people who recognize God's presence.

This psalm continues with a prayer to the Lord to do good to those who are good. We need to remember to be good if we are sincere in this prayer.

Proverbs 29:9-11
If the wise go to law with fools, 
there is ranting and ridicule without relief.
The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, 
and they seek the life of the upright.
A fool gives full vent to anger, 
but the wise quietly holds it back.

Prayer for Today: O Lord, open my eyes, open my heart, open my will to see what you have done and will do for me. Encourage me to respond with love. Amen.