Invitation — Psalm 139:14
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 83:1-4, 17-18
O God, do not remain silent;
do not turn a deaf ear,
do not stand aloof, O God.
See how your enemies growl,
how your foes rear their heads.
With cunning they conspire against your people;
they plot against those you cherish.
"Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation,
so that Israel's name is remembered no more."...
May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;
may they perish in disgrace.
Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord —
that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Bible Reading — 1 Samuel 5:1-8
After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then they carried the ark into Dagon's temple and set it beside Dagon. When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon's temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.
The Lord's hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity; he brought devastation on them and afflicted them with tumors. When the people of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, "The ark of the god of Israel must not stay here with us, because his hand is heavy on us and on Dagon our god." So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked them, "What shall we do with the ark of the god of Israel?"
Quiet
Dwelling
Leisurely read again ... is there a word or idea that stirred within you? Linger over it and give it your attention ... is there something about the reading you'd like to ask God about? Pray your life to God ... take a moment to rest in God's presence.
Free Prayer
- for our national and local communities
- for the continent of South America
- for national leaders
Prayer — WLC 7
Living God, you are the one true God, eternal, almighty, everywhere present, filled with compassion, knowing all things, most wise, perfectly holy, always patient, overflowing with goodness and truth. All my idols are reflections of my broken self, and only as I fall down and worship you do I find myself whole again. Amen.
Blessing — Matthew 5:4
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."