Invitation — Psalm 57:9-10
"I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 60:1-4, 10-12
You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us;
you have been angry — now restore us!
You have shaken the land and torn it open;
mend its fractures, for it is quaking.
You have shown your people desperate times;
you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner
to be unfurled against the bow...
Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us
and no longer go out with our armies?
Give us aid against the enemy,
for human help is worthless.
With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies.
Bible Reading — Leviticus 26:1-5, 11-13
"'Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the Lord your God.
"'Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the Lord.
"'If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land...
"'I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.'"
Quiet
Dwelling
Read again, perhaps out loud ... how has God's Word moved you? Ponder and meditate what has connected with your heart or mind ... pray to God what it is that has moved you today ... turn your thoughts to God and quietly enjoy being with him.
Free Prayer
- for our role as caretakers of creation
- for wise stewardship of our physical resources
- for creative new conservation technologies and strategies
Prayer — WC 16.6
Generous God, I sometimes don't know how to handle the rewards you offer. Dare me to believe that like a parent moved by the loving obedience of a child, you give rewards out of delight in a life changed by grace. And like a child, help me to simply open up my hands and receive your goodness. Amen.
Blessing — 2 Timothy 1:7
"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."