Lectionary Reading 30 August
Jesus said: If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24
Read Exodus 3:1-15. “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Exodus 3:6 (NRSV)
The story of the burning bush begins the re-telling of the deliverance of Israel from suffering and bondage in Egypt and on into the Promised Land. Moses is well placed to approach Pharaoh having been brought up in Pharaoh’s court. Even so the task to which God has called Moses is clearly daunting and we sense Moses’ apprehension. His reluctance is understandable for he is to be a chosen instrument in God’s great plan of salvation for his people. That the call of God comes from one who is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob reminds us that this is a God who is present through all generations. As the scripture says, “I am the God of your father”, the God of your ancestors who has always been with you and more importantly will always be with you. Jesus refers to this verse when in debate with the Sadducees to remind them that God is the God of the living. God offers a relationship that lasts through death and into eternity for God is the giver of life. This is the God whose love never ends. As one of the recent creeds of the United Church in Canada says, “In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us”. Moses was gripped by this ongoing power. Here is the awesome God who was always faithful to the promises that were made. Moses would need that assurance again and again as he led the people on their journey to the Promised Land. As we read the passage today we are reminded of the compassion of God to rescue the people. We are also reminded that God can sometimes call the most unlikely people to be in leadership. Moses was a humble shepherd, in exile, and a murderer. However God’s hand had been with him from the moment he was born. As Acts records. “At this time Moses was born, and he was beautiful before God. For three months he was brought up in his father’s house;” Acts 7:20 (NRSV) The faithful God uses all kinds of people to fulfil the mission.
Prayer. Faithful God we humbly bow before you in prayer, recognising again and again all that you have done for us. We thank you Lord, that you gave your Son, Jesus Christ to be the light of the world, and in him you have revealed to us your glory and the wonder of your saving love. We thank you that you know our situations and are always ready to reach out with mercy and grace: For this we give you heartfelt thanks. Help us to love you even as you have deeply loved us; strengthen us for the service of your kingdom; and grant that the light of Jesus Christ might shine both in and through us, that people everywhere may be drawn to him who as Saviour and Lord of all. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen
Read. Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45. The psalm begins with a section of praise as the psalmist recalls all the blessings that God has showered on the people, Then the next section we are reading goes on to recount again the journey out of Egypt and into the Promised Land led by Moses. Then the psalm ends by reminding the worshippers that all the deeds of God, wonderful as they are should lead to an obedient people who trust God in all things. “that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the LORD! Psalm 105:45 (NRSV) The psalm reminds us that it is important to refresh our minds with the stories of God’s great blessing. Again and again in scripture we are encouraged to meditate on God’s word and hold in our minds all that God has done. As we recall the stories they remind us that God’s blessing touches the reality of life, God leads, God heals, God provides, God’s blessings are actional in our everyday lives. As this psalm emphasises, God’s action towards us is always with the view that we would stay in close fellowship with God and be obedient. God is not there simply to be a rescuer when we get into strife: No, God wants us to trust him enough that we will live our lives according to his commands and principles. Obedience is linked to knowing what is in God’s word.“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NRSV) It is God’s word that keeps our feet from slipping and gives us confidence to face the future with hope. In the psalm for today the psalmist recounts the past in order to move forward into a future knowing that the faithfulness of God will always be there to rely on.
Prayer. Strong and ever powerful God we come to you confessing that often we much prefer to go own way. We like to be independent for we feel we know the right way for us. Lord, forgive us and by your grace, make us captive to your love and in perfect trust, may we rest in you. May we learn from you to walk in obedience and so find true peace and an ongoing joy which transcends all earthly circumstances because that peace is vested in you. Grant us Lord a new insight into your love for us and a new will to place our lives at your disposal. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Collect. Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve. Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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