Today's Reading August 19

This morning we turn our attention to Psalms 112, 113, 114, and 115
These are primarily Psalms of praise, and the first three are pretty short.
Psalms 112 and 113 are, in Hebrew, an acrostic poem - the first letter of each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. For those of us for whom classical Hebrew is not our native language, we miss that element of it.
Yet the imagery is still worthy. For example,

Chapter 113
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.
4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,

or

Chapter 115
1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?

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The reading this evening is from 1st Corinthians, chapter 1.
This is Good Stuff too, as Paul lays out his message to a different group of believers, but also leaves a message for us. There are several themes in this passage, one having to to with the regrettable habit we have of forming factions. But also a reminder that the Gospel and God's message did not first come to the 'respectable', the leaders of the community, those who in men's eye's occupy places of honor. No,

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Isa 29:14
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Jer 9:24