Proper 26
Preaching
Aids To The Psalms
Exploring The Message
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
and I will observe it to the end.
Give me understanding,
that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Turn my heart to your decrees,
and not to selfish gain.
Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise,
which is for those who fear you.
Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
for your ordinances are good.
See, I have longed for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life.
Let your steadfast love come to me,
O Lord, your salvation according to your promise.
Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,
for I trust in your word.
Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your ordinances.
I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever.
I shall walk at liberty,
for I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your decree before kings,
and shall not be put to shame;
I find my delight in your commandments,
because I love them.
I revere your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
Alternate Image
The Singer stops to ask directions. The man he asks tells him,
"You see that red-headed woman on the next corner? Go up to her
and ask her when her appointment to get her hair done is." That
seems a bit strange but the Singer does as instructed. Upon that
question the red-haired woman says, "Thank you for asking. I am
very proud of my hair which I inherited from my Aunt Tallulah. At
two o'clock cousin Zelda will do my hair. Zelda's from
Tippsieville ya know, the place famous for its poppin' corn. It's
'bout 20 miles that way," she points. "Course her husband Zeb
isn't from around these parts. He's from Derbyburg 40 miles the
other way," she points again. "Funny about Zeb and Zelda, they
got together at a barn dance cousin Herb threw in 1952. The party
was at his farm just outside Disheretown which is 15 miles
northeast of Derbyburg on Highway 43." With this information the
Singer thanks the red-haired woman and winks at the man who
directed him to her. The Singer then gets into his car and drives
to Disheretown, the place he wished to go.
Reflection
We ask directions all our lives. And in our lives of faith we
also need directions. We need statutes, rules for living. We need
the law, a firm understanding of our duties. We need commandments
and clear courses of direction. However, statutes, laws and
commandments can also sound harsh and coercive. Those guiding
precepts may and often do stimulate our rebellious nature. We
need to understand that statutes, laws and commandments all come
from stories, stories about our lives and our relationships. The
stories and their messages are helps God gives us to live our
lives to the fullest.
and I will observe it to the end.
Give me understanding,
that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Turn my heart to your decrees,
and not to selfish gain.
Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise,
which is for those who fear you.
Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
for your ordinances are good.
See, I have longed for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life.
Let your steadfast love come to me,
O Lord, your salvation according to your promise.
Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,
for I trust in your word.
Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your ordinances.
I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever.
I shall walk at liberty,
for I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your decree before kings,
and shall not be put to shame;
I find my delight in your commandments,
because I love them.
I revere your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
Alternate Image
The Singer stops to ask directions. The man he asks tells him,
"You see that red-headed woman on the next corner? Go up to her
and ask her when her appointment to get her hair done is." That
seems a bit strange but the Singer does as instructed. Upon that
question the red-haired woman says, "Thank you for asking. I am
very proud of my hair which I inherited from my Aunt Tallulah. At
two o'clock cousin Zelda will do my hair. Zelda's from
Tippsieville ya know, the place famous for its poppin' corn. It's
'bout 20 miles that way," she points. "Course her husband Zeb
isn't from around these parts. He's from Derbyburg 40 miles the
other way," she points again. "Funny about Zeb and Zelda, they
got together at a barn dance cousin Herb threw in 1952. The party
was at his farm just outside Disheretown which is 15 miles
northeast of Derbyburg on Highway 43." With this information the
Singer thanks the red-haired woman and winks at the man who
directed him to her. The Singer then gets into his car and drives
to Disheretown, the place he wished to go.
Reflection
We ask directions all our lives. And in our lives of faith we
also need directions. We need statutes, rules for living. We need
the law, a firm understanding of our duties. We need commandments
and clear courses of direction. However, statutes, laws and
commandments can also sound harsh and coercive. Those guiding
precepts may and often do stimulate our rebellious nature. We
need to understand that statutes, laws and commandments all come
from stories, stories about our lives and our relationships. The
stories and their messages are helps God gives us to live our
lives to the fullest.
