Sweeter than drippings from the honeycomb

Verse for the week: For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.”  Psalm 62.5

Prayer for this week: “Lord, open our ears and hearts, that we may heed your hidden wisdom and let your word be a light to our path.  Speak to us through your living word, that we may obey your call and follow him whom you have sent, Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (K.B. Ritter, Gebete für das jahr der Kirche, 2^nd  ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p.180 )

Bible reading for the day:  Psalm 19 (In the first half of this psalm, v.1-6, the psalmist confesses that the heavens speak, they pour forth Yahweh’s glory and handiwork. Nine verbs and nouns in the first four verses declare this. In the second half of this psalm, v.7-14, it’s not the heavens that do the talking, but the Lord’s law, his commandments... his recorded testimony. By the act of his speaking, the Lord creates and wields death and new life for us. Further, as Paul declares in Romans 1.19-20, we humans do not recognize God from the works of creation. A powerful message comes our way in creation but we do not understand it.)

The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
² Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
⁴ Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
⁵     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
⁶ Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
⁸ the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
⁹ the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

¹² Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
¹³ Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Prayer (based on TRIP* method): Gracious and Almighty father, thank you for speaking us into being… For giving us life because you say so. The heavens indeed declare your glory; Christ Jesus declares your grace and truth for us. Through your living word in our ears pour out your Holy Spirit to us; teach us to fear love and trust you in such a way that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart may be acceptable in your sight. I ask this in the name of my rock and redeemer, Christ Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic that gives further voice today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqGWTJsAwKw

“Hallowed be thy name…”

What does this mean? God’s name is hallowed whenever his word is taught in its truth and purity and we as children of God live in harmony with it. Help us to do this heavenly father. But anyone who teaches our lives contrary to the word of God, dishonors God’s name among us; keep us from doing this Heavenly Father. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

Benediction: Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21) 

 

*The T.R.I.P. approach to prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray.  It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria,MN). The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:
T: thanksgiving
R: regret (repentance)
I: intercession (asking God to take a specific action)
P: plan or purpose
Reading a biblical text and then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s prayers... it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to Him.