Easter 7
Preaching
Aids To The Psalms
Exploring The Message
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Alternate Image
The Singer has joined a group of complainers at a school board
meeting. They complain about poor teaching and bad
administration. They grumble about the sports program, losing
seasons and poor coaching. They find fault with the taxes, which
are too high, and the budget which is too low to allow for the
programs they want. They criticize, gripe and whine about a
myriad of issues and people. The Singer's voice is among the
loudest and most vocal. The board surprises the complainers by
inviting them to take one of their number who will be invited to
have a seat on the board at that very moment. The Singer is
selected.
As the Singer moves forward to assume her new responsibility,
it dawns upon her that now she has to find solutions rather than
just find fault. She looks back to her fault-finding companions,
and finds no wise counsel. She then looks at the members of the
board who smile back at her, who recognize her revelation about
their common task. The Singer bows her head and prays for wisdom,
wisdom to find and implement solutions for this important cause.
As she lifts her head to begin her work, she feels blessed by the
opportunity to be of service.
Reflection
It is easy to find fault. One can always find company in the
household of complainers and scoffers. But that company is not a
blessing, it just makes you an angry person in the midst of angry
folk. Solutions to difficult problems that face society are not
easy to come by. They require a good deal of work, dedication and
willingness to be criticized by others. But they also contain
great reward. When one seeks to serve, not for personal glory or
power but just to serve, you are caught up in something greater
than self. At those times we are partners with God, God's agents
and stewards here on earth. And in knowing that we are blessed
and bear fruit.
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Alternate Image
The Singer has joined a group of complainers at a school board
meeting. They complain about poor teaching and bad
administration. They grumble about the sports program, losing
seasons and poor coaching. They find fault with the taxes, which
are too high, and the budget which is too low to allow for the
programs they want. They criticize, gripe and whine about a
myriad of issues and people. The Singer's voice is among the
loudest and most vocal. The board surprises the complainers by
inviting them to take one of their number who will be invited to
have a seat on the board at that very moment. The Singer is
selected.
As the Singer moves forward to assume her new responsibility,
it dawns upon her that now she has to find solutions rather than
just find fault. She looks back to her fault-finding companions,
and finds no wise counsel. She then looks at the members of the
board who smile back at her, who recognize her revelation about
their common task. The Singer bows her head and prays for wisdom,
wisdom to find and implement solutions for this important cause.
As she lifts her head to begin her work, she feels blessed by the
opportunity to be of service.
Reflection
It is easy to find fault. One can always find company in the
household of complainers and scoffers. But that company is not a
blessing, it just makes you an angry person in the midst of angry
folk. Solutions to difficult problems that face society are not
easy to come by. They require a good deal of work, dedication and
willingness to be criticized by others. But they also contain
great reward. When one seeks to serve, not for personal glory or
power but just to serve, you are caught up in something greater
than self. At those times we are partners with God, God's agents
and stewards here on earth. And in knowing that we are blessed
and bear fruit.
