Invitation — Psalm 48:14
"For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 119:73-80
Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts.
May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.
May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame.
Bible Reading — Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on the mankind! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.
I said to myself, "Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge." Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.
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
- thanks for music, color, beauty, and all the senses to take in creation
- for the wonder, beauty, and complexity of creation
- for the care of creation
Prayer — BC 8
Great God, without you any search to find meaning is futile, any quest to name the reason for living a dead end. Turn me today to Jesus, who is the Word that speaks purpose into life under the sun, the wisdom at the center that gives significance to my days. In his name I pray, amen.
Blessing — Matthew 5:10
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."