Invitation — Psalm 148:13
"Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 74:1-2, 9-12
O God, why have you rejected us forever?
Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
Remember the nation you purchased long ago,
the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed —
Mount Zion, where you dwelt...
We are given no signs from God;
no prophets are left,
and none of us knows how long this will be.
How long will the enemy mock you, God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?
Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
But God is my King from long ago;
he brings salvation on the earth.
Bible Reading — Joshua 2:1, 8-14
Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there...
Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, "I know that the Lord has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
"Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them — and that you will save us from death."
"Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land."
Quiet
Dwelling
Become aware of God's loving presence and read again ... what in God's Word has caught your heart's attention? Is there a command to be obeyed, a comfort to be savored? Talk to God about the Scripture you've just read ... yield yourself to God and enjoy his presence.
Free Prayer
- for our capacity to see God in all things, every creature a word or book from God
- for environmental concerns
- for those who serve in forests, farms, and oceans
Prayer — BC 27
King Jesus, thank you that your church is not confined to the people we think should populate our pews and fill our Bible studies. You call scandalous saints and surprising sinners marked not by sterling moral credentials but by a brazen faith in the gospel. Give me the eyes to see those unlikely people who recognize your kingdom when they see it. Amen.
Blessing — Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."