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 77:1-2, 7-11, 13-14
I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted...
"Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago... "
Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
Bible Reading — Judges 2:16-22
Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the Lord's commands. Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.
Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and said, "Because this nation has violated the covenant I ordained for their ancestors and has not listened to me, I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the Lord and walk in it as their ancestors did."
Quiet
Dwelling
Read again slowly ... find a word or phrase that catches your eye or moves your heart ... slowly repeat it ... pray your thoughts, desires, needs, and feelings from your meditation ... enjoy the presence of your Lord and Savior.
Free Prayer
- for spiritual renewal
- for deep repentance
- for new relationships with non-Christians
Prayer — HC 104
Lord God, as soon as the pressure is off and life is good, my rebellious heart turns away, to the promises and pleasures of this world. In a world that scorns obedience, I need you to teach me a yielded heart and help me find freedom in a submitted life, so that I can honor, love, and obey all those you have set in authority over me. Amen.
Blessing — Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."