Lectionary Reading. Sept. 27

Lectionary Readings       27 September

“he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8 (NRSV)

Reading. Exodus 17:1-7   “Why do you test The Lord?” This is the phrase that permeates this passage of scripture. Despite all that God has done to release the people from slavery their immediate needs block out the remembrance of past blessings. On reflection that pretty much sums up how we all might respond when immediate needs seem life threatening!  Yet even in these circumstances, as always, the Lord has the answer.

Moses and the elders are directed by God to Horeb and to stand on the rock there. Horeb maybe a play on words as in Hebrew it can be translated as “dryness” or “desolation”; alternatively Horeb was the place where Moses fasted for forty days and then received the Law and so this is a sacred place in the history of Israel and very much linked to the Covenant between the Lord and the People. The water to save the people comes from this sacred mingling of God’s promises to save and sustain. Notice that in verse 6 it says, “I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. Exodus 17:6 (NRSV). As Moses obeys God stands with him, not alongside him but in front of him. God had promised to be with him when Moses had received his commissioning. (Exodus 3:12) Those who lead at God’s command never lead alone, God is always with them and as this passage reminds us God can do amazing things. Despite their grumbling the people were supplied with water from the rock and prove once again God’s faithfulness to both his people and his promises.

As we reflect on this story we might wonder at how quickly people forget God’s amazing blessings until we honestly examine our own lives and realise that we have to learn again and again to trust in the Lord to provide a way through the wilderness of life. Praise God that through learning, eventually we come to realise as the passage reminds us, that the Lord provides in each and every situation.

Prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, the king of all creation. We bow in prayer to you today, amazed that you should empty yourself of all and trust in God alone to sustain you. Forgetting what was behind, you pressed on to the task that lay ahead and through your trust glorified God alone. By your ministry of grace you have won for us reconciliation with God our father and a place in his everlasting kingdom. Help us to place our whole trust in you and by your sustaining fulfil the purpose you have set for us as individuals. By trusting in you alone may we prove to be true disciples of the cross and in all things and in all ways give glory to our Father in heaven. Amen

Reading.  Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 In the NRSV bible this psalm is titled, “God’s goodness and Israel’s ingratitude”. In the portion of the psalm in today’s reading the psalmist is highlighting in poetic language the way God has brought the people from Egypt and into the Promised Land. The psalmist urges his generation to teach the stories of their heritage to the children reminding them again and again of what has happened in the nation’s past. When families gather together many families tell stories from their past: stories of parents and grandparents. They also tell stories about their children when they were only infants. Sometimes these stories are told so often that the children remember these personal events even though they were too young to remember without reinforcement.

The point the psalmist is making is that with repeated telling, the stories are indelibly printed into the minds of the young so clearly that they remember as if they were there. It is that sense of being there and present to the great acts of God that gives the stories their immediacy and their power to impact on the lives of each succeeding generation. In this way each new generation develops a picture of who they are and the family into which they have been born as well as how they are related to the kin-group around them.

It is not enough just to know of the provisions God has made for his people throughout history, each one of us is also called to pass on this information to each succeeding generation. By being told the story we participate in our faith, and by telling our stories we pass on to our children and others the living truth which rests among the stories. Faith is caught not taught but it is the telling of the stories of God’s great acts that transmits the truth about God and opens the way for faith to flourish.

Prayer. Almighty and Everlasting God, you  have promised to hear our prayers for others in the Name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; So today we pray for our families, and all those who love and support us. We lift our hands and hearts to you asking that your blessing would surround them and us. May we all acknowledge the power of your providential care, remembering how blessed we are to live under your grace. Relying on your goodness and grace may we all grow from strength to strength. Help us all to live lives worthy of our calling; as we trust in Jesus Christ may we also let him lead us on to fulfil your plan and purpose for us. This we ask in his name. Amen

Collect. O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.