14 August 2010

Today's Readings -- 14 August 2010

I hope it has been a good Saturday for all. We had plans for the day, and did some of them. But neither of us has been feeling good lately, and we had on-and-off storms, some rather substantial, come through the area throughout the day. Puts a damper on lawn-mowing (particularly with our electric lawn mower, don't ask), and the long-overdue outdoor carpentry I had planeed This Weekend For Sure. And the Powers That Be are making noise about requiring me to work -- unpaid, as usual -- this coming Saturday, meaning such things are unlikely to get done then either.
Anyway, we tried to catch up on some sleep, and made some headway along those lines.

Today's Old Testament portion is Psalms 99, 100, 101, 102. These are not long, and they're good. Psalm 100 is one of those we were "encouraged" to commit to memory as kids, and it has been a favorite of mine. I recommend the practice.

1
The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
2
The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
3
Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
4
The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
5
Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
6
Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
7
He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
8
Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
9
Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.


1
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.


1
I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
2
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
4
A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
5
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
6
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
7
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
8
I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.


1
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
2
Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
3
For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
4
My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
5
By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
6
I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
7
I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
8
Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
9
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping.
10
Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
11
My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
12
But thou, O LORD, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
13
Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
14
For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
15
So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
16
When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
17
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
18
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
19
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
20
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
21
To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
22
When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
23
He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
24
I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
25
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
26
They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
27
But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
28
The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.





The New Testament passage is Romans 13. I particularly want to draw attention to the final few verses.

1
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

13 August 2010

Today's Readings -- 13 August 2010

Happy Friday! Perhaps this can be a good day. Let us try.

This morning, Psalms 96, 97, 98. These are psalms of praise, and you may recognize some of the phrases: some have been copied into our more modern hymnals. And why not!

1
O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
2
Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
3
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
4
For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
5
For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
6
Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7
Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
8
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9
O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
10
Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
11
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
12
Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
13
Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.


1
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
2
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
3
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
4
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
5
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
7
Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
8
Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
9
For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
10
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
11
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
12
Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.


1
O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
2
The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
3
He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5
Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6
With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
7
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8
Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9
Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.



This evening, Romans 12. We could spend a month or more just on this. Perhaps one of these times we will. This is good doctrine, right from the start. This is how to live the Christian life.

1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

12 August 2010

Today's Readings --12 August 2010

long and dreary night at work. But at least we have a bit of relief from the months of 12-hour (actual) shifts, and I am home at a time I'd have been still on the job not long ago. A small blessing, but we'll take it. They add up.

Will snooze in a bit but first

This morning, Psalms 93, 94, 95. Psalm 93 is very short, and there are those who have it on a rotating weekly schedule. Not a bad idea, really.

1
The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.
2
Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
3
The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.
4
The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
5
Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.


1
O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
2
Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.
3
LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
4
How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
5
They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.
6
They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
7
Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
8
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
9
He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
10
He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
11
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
12
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
13
That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
14
For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
15
But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
16
Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
17
Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
18
When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
19
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
20
Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
21
They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
22
But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
23
And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.


1
O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
2
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
3
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
4
In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.
5
The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
6
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
7
For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
8
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
9
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
10
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
11
Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.



This evening, verses 22-36 of Romans 11

22
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23
And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
24
For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
29
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31
Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
33
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

10 August 2010

Today's Readings -- 10 August 2010

Good Tuesday to all who drop by. Hope your day is a good one.

Short of pithy comments this morning. Been a long night and I am weary and about to crash.

This morning, Psalms 88, 89.

1
O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:
2
Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;
3
For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.
4
I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:
5
Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.
6
Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.
7
Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.
8
Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.
9
Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.
10
Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.
11
Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?
12
Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13
But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.
14
LORD, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?
15
I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.
16
Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.
17
They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.
18
Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.


1
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
2
For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3
I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
4
Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
5
And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
6
For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?
7
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
8
O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
9
Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
10
Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
11
The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
12
The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
13
Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
14
Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
15
Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
16
In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
17
For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
18
For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.
19
Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
20
I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
21
With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.
22
The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
23
And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.
24
But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
25
I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
26
He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
27
Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
28
My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
29
His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
30
If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
31
If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
32
Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
33
Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
34
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
35
Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
36
His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
37
It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
38
But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.
39
Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.
40
Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.
41
All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.
42
Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
43
Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.
44
Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.
45
The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.
46
How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?
47
Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
48
What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.
49
Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?
50
Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;
51
Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.
52
Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.



This evening, Romans 10. Good text here, Romans is full of that.

1
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2
For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5
For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
6
But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7
Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18
But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
19
But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20
But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
21
But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

09 August 2010

Today's Readings -- 09 August 2010

and now we begin again. Good phrase, that. Beginning again is part of what we are.

This morning, Psalms 85, 86, and 87.

1
Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
3
Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
4
Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
5
Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
6
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
7
Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
8
I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
9
Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
10
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11
Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12
Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
13
Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.


1
Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
2
Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
3
Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
4
Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
6
Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
7
In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
8
Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
9
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
10
For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
11
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
12
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
13
For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
14
O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
15
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
16
O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
17
Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.


1
His foundation is in the holy mountains.
2
The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3
Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
4
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
5
And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
6
The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
7
As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.



This evening, Romans 9.

1
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2
That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4
Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5
Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
6
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
9
For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
10
And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
12
It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
17
For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19
Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
22
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24
Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25
As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26
And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
27
Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
28
For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
29
And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.
30
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.