Invitation — Psalm 33:5
"The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 94:1-3, 8-12
The Lord is a God who avenges.
O God who avenges, shine forth.
Rise up, Judge of the earth;
pay back to the proud what they deserve.
How long, Lord, will the wicked,
how long will the wicked be jubilant? ...
Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;
you fools, when will you become wise?
Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
The Lord knows all human plans;
he knows that they are futile.
Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord,
the one you teach from your law.
Bible Reading — 2 Samuel 6:1-8
David again brought together all the able young men of Israel — thirty thousand. He and all his men went to Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark. They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it. David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.
When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.
Then David was angry because the Lord's wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.
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 capacity to see God in all things, every creature a word or book from God
- for God's care and comfort in natural disasters and a creation that groans
- for our commitment to reduce, reuse, and recycle
Prayer — HC 122
Holy God, keep me from dishonoring you, boxing you into tidy formulas I can take hold of, taming you into something I can manage. Let me really know you so I never trivialize you but make the glory of your name the concern of my life. Amen.
Blessing — Matthew 5:6
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."