The wisdom of the cross

Verse for the week:  How great is your goodness, O Lord…which you have done in the sight of all who put their trust in you.  Psalm 31.19

Prayer for the week: “Merciful God, you resist the proud but give grace to the humble.  Help us to trust you utterly, to rest our hope and confidence in you, and to serve you with pure hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” (K.B. Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr der Kirche, 2^nd  ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p. 193). 

Bible reading for the day:  Proverbs 9.1-6 (note: for more, read the whole ninth chapter and you will hear the juxtaposition of wisdom and folly; the former nourishes while the latter devours)

¹ Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
² She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
³ She has sent out her young women to call
from the highest places in the town,
⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks sense she says,
⁵ “Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
⁶ Leave your simple ways, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”

⁷Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
    and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
⁸ Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
    reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
    teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for the lasting, nourishing feast that is the table of your wisdom: Christ broken and poured out for our forgiveness. Thank you!  The wisdom of my will is really folly that leads me astray, leaves my ego fat and my soul empty; deliver me from my self, Lord. Each day give me ears to hear you… that I may turn in and be fed by your word and walk in the way of insight.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.

 “I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before me.” Ex 20.1,2

What does this mean? 

We are to fear, love, and trust God above anything else. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)

Benediction:  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all.  Amen.  II Cor 13.14

  

*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...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to God.