Larry Devich
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Saturday's readings
From today's Daily Lectionary readings is this lament by Micah that ends with an encouraging note. It struck me as particularly pertinent for this day and age in America.
I just noticed how self righteous what I wrote above sounds. I'm leaving it there but let me explain just a bit better, this describes me and all of us if we are honest, for we "all have fallen short of the glory of God." This is not meant as a slam against others but is directed first of all to me!
Micah 7
as when the summer fruit has been gathered,
as when the grapes have been gleaned:
there is no cluster to eat,
no first-ripe fig that my soul desires.
2The godly has perished from the earth,
and there is no one upright among mankind;
they all lie in wait for blood,
and each hunts the other with a net.
3Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well;
the prince and the judge ask for a bribe,
and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul;
thus they weave it together.
4The best of them is like a brier,
the most upright of them a thorn hedge.
The day of your watchmen, of your punishment, has come;
now their confusion is at hand.
5Put no trust in a neighbor;
have no confidence in a friend;
guard the doors of your mouth
from her who lies in your arms;
6for the son treats the father with contempt,
the daughter rises up against her mother,
the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
a man's enemies are the men of his own house.
7But as for me, I will look to the LORD;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
my God will hear me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. ¶ 11/18/2006 08:33:00 AM 0 Comments
I just noticed how self righteous what I wrote above sounds. I'm leaving it there but let me explain just a bit better, this describes me and all of us if we are honest, for we "all have fallen short of the glory of God." This is not meant as a slam against others but is directed first of all to me!
Micah 7
Wait for the God of Salvation
1Woe is me! For I have becomeas when the summer fruit has been gathered,
as when the grapes have been gleaned:
there is no cluster to eat,
no first-ripe fig that my soul desires.
2The godly has perished from the earth,
and there is no one upright among mankind;
they all lie in wait for blood,
and each hunts the other with a net.
3Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well;
the prince and the judge ask for a bribe,
and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul;
thus they weave it together.
4The best of them is like a brier,
the most upright of them a thorn hedge.
The day of your watchmen, of your punishment, has come;
now their confusion is at hand.
5Put no trust in a neighbor;
have no confidence in a friend;
guard the doors of your mouth
from her who lies in your arms;
6for the son treats the father with contempt,
the daughter rises up against her mother,
the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
a man's enemies are the men of his own house.
7But as for me, I will look to the LORD;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
my God will hear me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. ¶ 11/18/2006 08:33:00 AM 0 Comments
