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A journey through Lent - 2016
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Day Thirteen - The Scorn.
Even the mighty of God go through times of testing. In this Psalm David draws a vivid picture of his woes, he is drowning in his troubles. He crys for salvation but hears no reply.
Our reputation and good name are important to us and attacks on them are especially painful. We respond to such assaults or the possibility of such assaults by hiding our flaws, giving in to despair and depression, driving ourselves towards an unacheivable perfection. In this Psalm we see that David chooses another way.
Even in his distress, David retains his enthusiasm and belief in God, his zeal.
This is what fills him. He honestly confesses his faults, he prays that these faults would do no harm or diminish God in the eyes of others.
He makes his appeal, placing his trust in the steadfast love and faithfulness of his Lord. Placing himself in the shelter of God's own reputation.
Jesus, during the Passover in Jerusalem, entered the temple and chased out the traders and money-changers. In a reference to this Psalm his diciples recall David's statement, "Zeal for your house has consumed me".
This act starts the events that would end in the greatest loss of dignity imaginable.
The creator of the universe, humiliated as a criminal dying on a cross
We remember that during this torment he prayed for his enemies, offering them all the benefits of his good name.
In Jesus, we inherit an eternal reputation that can never be tarnished or diminished.
Bible Passage: - Psalm 69:1-12 (NIV)
Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.
Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.
You, God, know my folly;
my guilt is not hidden from you.
Lord, the Lord Almighty,
may those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me.
For I endure scorn for your sake,
and shame covers my face.
I am a foreigner to my own family,
a stranger to my own mother's children;
for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
When I weep and fast,
I must endure scorn;
when I put on sackcloth,
people make sport of me.
Those who sit at the gate mock me,
and I am the song of the drunkards.
Contemplation Saying.
"For it is for your sake"
Contemplative Prayer.
Think of the saying in order to understand context and meaning,
Feel the meaning of the saying with and in your heart,
Pray, using the saying, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.
Listen for God's voice in the quiet of your prayers.
Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.
Hymn: Singing the Faith - "Hold me closer to you each day"
Let us pray together.
Twitter Prayer
By your death and resurrection, you have written your name on our brows, and written our names, indelibly, in your Book of Life.
Facebook Prayer
By your death and resurrection, you have written your name on our brows, and written our names, indelibly, in your Book of Life.
Help us know that, as you wrote your name, we were washed clean in your streams of love.
In that moment we were named as yours. Given our names, using your Holy Name and placed firmly into your loving embrace.
We pray that you will give us the wisdom and faith necessary to humbly receive this the greatest gift of all. Amen.
Full Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, we come before you in humble confession.
We have expended too much of our energy trying to make a name for ourselves, and thought too little of the name you have given us.
Help us remember that you, whose name is above all names, humbled yourself, taking the form of a servant.
You endured the violence and scorn of those to whom you offered your name.
By your death and resurrection, you have written your name on our brows, and written our names, indelibly, in your Book of Life.
We pray that you will give us the wisdom and faith necessary to humbly receive this the greatest gift of all. Amen.
Lord as we reflect on our names we think of our baptism.
Help us know that, as we were signed with the cross, we were washed clean in your streams of love, whether child or adult.
In that moment we were named as yours. Given our names, using your Holy Name and placed firmly into your loving embrace.
We are placed into the tender care of your disciples who live with and around us.
Lord, we thank you for that love and support which your fellowship gives to us.
As we find ourselves in difficult situations, help us remember that you have given us our name. That your name is always available to us, no matter how deep the darkness.
Continually teach us by the power of your Spirit and enable us to grow by your side into that name.
Continually fill us with "Zeal for your house", that we may worship you to the fullness of our ability, talent and strength.
Help us, as we speak your name, to reflect the traits of love which your name inspires in us.
Help us to seek your kingdom, by your power and for your glory, Amen.
Names of Jesus Image from.... http://www.carvedfish.com/images/inspirational/names_of_jesus.jpg
