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When God promises to bless...

Illustration
Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
2 Samuel 7:1-14a
When God promises to bless the house of David, his immediate response is to go sit in God’s presence, thanking God and acknowledging his own unworthiness. This is surprising, since David had an impressive resume. David had defeated the Philistines, bringing peace to Israel. He had built a grand palace for himself and his court. He had also rescued the Ark of the Covenant from captivity and brought it into the capital city in a joyous procession. David’s humility was definitely not weak or self-deprecating. He certainly had ego strength. This is exactly what enabled David to be humble.
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For August 3, 2025:

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John Jamison
Object: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.

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Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. (vv. 9-10)

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Call to Worship:

Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

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Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
Christ, have mercy.

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Stephen P. McCutchan
For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
-- Psalm 107:9, 43

Kirk R. Webster
How do you focus on something unseen? How can we set our minds on that which we can't touch, or taste, or verify scientifically? Most practical people want proof. Abstract propositions are difficult to get our arms around, especially if they are from another time and place.
Thomas A. Renquist
This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
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" 'It was I who taught Ephraim how to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them' (11:3). They did not know me. Do you?

" 'I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.' (1:4). But they did not know me. Do you?

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