Advent 1
Worship
Aids To The Psalms
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
Let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness' sake, O Lord!
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
All paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
An Alternate Image
The Singer crosses a deep canyon on a rope bridge that sways dizzily in the breeze. She sings, "My soul - my spirit, my body, my self - trusts you Lord." She crosses confidently to the other side of the canyon assured of God's care for her total being. Later she travels the city streets where drug dealers bargain; muggers and thieves ply their trade. She sings, "In you O Lord, I place my complete trust," and arrives safely at her destination. Later the Singer travels in a plane. An engine explodes blasting holes in the fuselage and damaging the steering controls. The Singer sings, "Into your hands Lord I place my life." The plane crashes. All passengers are killed outright. The Singer continues to sing with realized trust.
Reflection
How difficult it is to trust in a world filled with violence, treachery and wickedness. Yet, has it ever been different? We recall our Sunday school hymn of "Trust and Obey" and attempt to relearn what we have been taught. How are we to react to those who threaten our well being? Pray for them! As people of faith we have trust given us. When we recall, relearn, accept what God has done for our total well being, our soul, including body, mind and spirit; we can turn our attention to the needs of others. As we realize that God has gracefully shown us the truth of Christ's way to eternal life, we want to share that learning, that gift with others also threatened by lives led by unbelief. God intends good for us. God has provided good for us. God desires that we share that knowledge of goodness with our traveling companions.
O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
Let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness' sake, O Lord!
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
All paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
An Alternate Image
The Singer crosses a deep canyon on a rope bridge that sways dizzily in the breeze. She sings, "My soul - my spirit, my body, my self - trusts you Lord." She crosses confidently to the other side of the canyon assured of God's care for her total being. Later she travels the city streets where drug dealers bargain; muggers and thieves ply their trade. She sings, "In you O Lord, I place my complete trust," and arrives safely at her destination. Later the Singer travels in a plane. An engine explodes blasting holes in the fuselage and damaging the steering controls. The Singer sings, "Into your hands Lord I place my life." The plane crashes. All passengers are killed outright. The Singer continues to sing with realized trust.
Reflection
How difficult it is to trust in a world filled with violence, treachery and wickedness. Yet, has it ever been different? We recall our Sunday school hymn of "Trust and Obey" and attempt to relearn what we have been taught. How are we to react to those who threaten our well being? Pray for them! As people of faith we have trust given us. When we recall, relearn, accept what God has done for our total well being, our soul, including body, mind and spirit; we can turn our attention to the needs of others. As we realize that God has gracefully shown us the truth of Christ's way to eternal life, we want to share that learning, that gift with others also threatened by lives led by unbelief. God intends good for us. God has provided good for us. God desires that we share that knowledge of goodness with our traveling companions.
