“O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. … Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you”. Psalm 63:1&3 (NRSV)
Reading. Exodus 33:12-23. He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. Exodus 33:14-15 (NRSV) In its historical setting this reading from Exodus reinforces God’s presence with the nation of Israel. It also cements Moses leadership among the people and through the generations the people would have taken much comfort from knowing that their God was fully with them. Moses interchange with God can also be a guide for us in our own relationship with God. Moses knew that the task to which God has called him was impossible without the wisdom and guidance that God could give. He also understood from the outset that this was to be no easy task but a mission filled with trials and tribulations. With that in mind he appeals to God for an assurance that God will be with him and then starts out on the task that God has set. Moses also realises that he will have to get to know God better. We will never have to face a task as difficult or demanding as did Moses and yet each of us is called by God to accomplish the purpose for which we are destined. As such we too need to work at knowing God better, being open to pray and the reading of the scriptures and keeping God at the centre of our lives. We should never underestimate the importance of the ministry that God has set for us. Even the seemingly smallest task can be instrumental in achieving God’s purpose and needs to be given our full attention. William Carey’s great dictum was “expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” On the other hand we should never assume that our ministry task is more important than another’s ministry. Paul’s advice is important, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12:3 (NRSV) No we will never have the stature of a Moses and for that we can be thankful and yet each one of us has a part to play in God’s great plan of salvation. Like Moses our key endeavour will be to continually plead that God is with us.
Prayer. Almighty and everlasting God, with humility we come to join again in prayer with you. We are thankful that you are always more ready listen than we are to pray and so we bless you for the privilege of prayer. May our words and deeds in every way carry the fragrance of your faithfulness and love into every situation that we will face. May aching hearts be comforted and wandering hearts be drawn back to you. May your presence permeate every moment of our life experience. So may we be both blessed and a blessing to others. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. Amen
Reading Psalm 99. In the theology of the Celts they recognised “thin places”, these were places were God’s presence and world collided with our presence and world. We can have something of this notion at varying times in our life. Maybe walking along our spectacular coast line or on some mountain top which gives us a sense of wonder and we have a sense of God’s presence: Or it may be in an ancient church building where Christians have gathered to pray and praise over the centuries. As we read this psalm something of the immediacy of God’s presence is anticipated, and for this psalmist God’s presence is available everywhere. The psalmist projects the understanding that the Lord is King. He is both over the whole creation and present within it and as such we tremble, for we are always under God’s watchful eye. The psalm reminds us that we live in God’s world and we are to live according to God’s way. This necessity is not a cause for concern but a cause of thanksgiving for the Lord is both just and merciful. “Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he! Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.” Psalm 99:3-4 (NRSV) For the psalmist the “thin places” are everywhere and in all places when the call goes out to God, it is the just and righteous King who answers. “Extol the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy”. Psalm 99:9 (NRSV)
Prayer. Heavenly Father sometimes it seems that there are more questions than there are answers. In many ways we become convinced that there are some questions which have no answers and some situations which throw up problems with no solutions. Forgive us Lord if we have slipped into easy compromise without listening clearly to your words of truth and justice. Forgive us if we have taken the easy road because we might lose some advantage. Forgive us if we have followed the majority and not thought of asking for your wisdom and guidance. Forgive us when we lose our way and then look to you for a way of escape. Help us like Christ to face the hard road of your merciful justice, and Lord help us to work for a world where all find a significant place. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Collect. Let us pray (to the Lord who bends close to hear our prayer): Lord our God, Father of all, you guard us under the shadow of your wings and search into the depths of our hearts. Remove the blindness that cannot know you and relieve the fear that hides you from our sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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