Proper 24
Preaching
Aids To The Psalms
Exploring The Message
How long, O Lord, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages, my life from the lions!
Then I will thank you in the great congregation;
in the mighty throng I will praise you.
Do not let my treacherous enemies rejoice over me,
or those who hate me without cause wink the eye.
For they do not speak peace,
but they conceive deceitful words
against those who are quiet in the land.
They open wide their mouths against me;
they say, "Aha, Aha, our eyes have seen it."
You have seen, O Lord; do not be silent!
O Lord, do not be far from me!
Wake up! Bestir yourself for my defense,
for my cause, my God and my Lord!
Vindicate me, O Lord,
my God, according to your righteousness,
and do not let them rejoice over me.
Do not let them say to themselves,
"Aha, we have our heart's desire."
Do not let them say, "We have swallowed you up."
Let all those who rejoice at my calamity
be put to shame and confusion;
let those who exalt themselves against me
be clothed with shame and dishonor.
Let those who desire my vindication
shout for joy and be glad, and say evermore,
"Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant."
Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness
and of your praise all day long.
Alternate Image
The Singer has decided to run for public office. She and two
others who are contending for the same office are on stage at a
local auditorium to debate the issues. The Singer has looked
forward to the debate. She has seen it as a great opportunity for
each of them to present their ideas and philosophies to their
voters so that the voters may make informed choices about their
civic leaders.
The debate begins with the Singer speaking first. Before she
gets a complete sentence out of her mouth one of her adversaries
interrupts her and calls her a trollop and a liar. The other
opponent then jumps in and calls them both liars. The Singer
repeatedly tries to speak but is drowned out by the yells and
screams of her opponents. The moderator of the debate throws his
hands up in despair. The crowd boos and hisses and then just
leaves. Aghast and amazed, the Singer also leaves while her
opponents become involved in a fist fight. Some days later,
disillusioned and despairing, the Singer casts her vote. She
wins.
Reflection
With each political election it seems as though the debates
become more negative and alienate an already disillusioned voting
public. Rhetoric, gossip and outright lies seem to dominate
public debate. We wonder whether good people can even run and
hold office. We may even cry out to God and ask why this has to
be. Cannot truths be seen? Yes they can. God sees them and just
knowing that can give us confidence to press on in a sinful
world. God plays fair even when we don't.
Rescue me from their ravages, my life from the lions!
Then I will thank you in the great congregation;
in the mighty throng I will praise you.
Do not let my treacherous enemies rejoice over me,
or those who hate me without cause wink the eye.
For they do not speak peace,
but they conceive deceitful words
against those who are quiet in the land.
They open wide their mouths against me;
they say, "Aha, Aha, our eyes have seen it."
You have seen, O Lord; do not be silent!
O Lord, do not be far from me!
Wake up! Bestir yourself for my defense,
for my cause, my God and my Lord!
Vindicate me, O Lord,
my God, according to your righteousness,
and do not let them rejoice over me.
Do not let them say to themselves,
"Aha, we have our heart's desire."
Do not let them say, "We have swallowed you up."
Let all those who rejoice at my calamity
be put to shame and confusion;
let those who exalt themselves against me
be clothed with shame and dishonor.
Let those who desire my vindication
shout for joy and be glad, and say evermore,
"Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant."
Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness
and of your praise all day long.
Alternate Image
The Singer has decided to run for public office. She and two
others who are contending for the same office are on stage at a
local auditorium to debate the issues. The Singer has looked
forward to the debate. She has seen it as a great opportunity for
each of them to present their ideas and philosophies to their
voters so that the voters may make informed choices about their
civic leaders.
The debate begins with the Singer speaking first. Before she
gets a complete sentence out of her mouth one of her adversaries
interrupts her and calls her a trollop and a liar. The other
opponent then jumps in and calls them both liars. The Singer
repeatedly tries to speak but is drowned out by the yells and
screams of her opponents. The moderator of the debate throws his
hands up in despair. The crowd boos and hisses and then just
leaves. Aghast and amazed, the Singer also leaves while her
opponents become involved in a fist fight. Some days later,
disillusioned and despairing, the Singer casts her vote. She
wins.
Reflection
With each political election it seems as though the debates
become more negative and alienate an already disillusioned voting
public. Rhetoric, gossip and outright lies seem to dominate
public debate. We wonder whether good people can even run and
hold office. We may even cry out to God and ask why this has to
be. Cannot truths be seen? Yes they can. God sees them and just
knowing that can give us confidence to press on in a sinful
world. God plays fair even when we don't.
