Lectionary Reading Epiphany 2
How weighty are your thoughts, O God! How vast is their number! I try to count them – they are more than the grains of sand. Psalm 139:17-18
Reading. 1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20] Samuel is a great figure in the Old Testament. He was an answer to prayer by his mother Hanna which perhaps explains the meaning of his name which is “heard of God” or perhaps better in English, “God hears” Dedicated to the Lord from birth we meet Samuel in this chapter as he is taught by Eli about the role of a priest. As Samuel was from the family line of Levi he was able to become a priest. However, at this time the priesthood at Shiloh had fallen into disrepute. In this chapter God’s prophetic voice is heard through the child Samuel. The chapter begins by announcing that “The word of the Lord was rare in those days” perhaps reminding us that God seldom speaks to those who have no regard for him. Samuel is encouraged by Eli to respond to God and is duly rewarded.
Samuels’s message from God marks a new beginning for the tribes of Israel but the exchange between Samuel and Eli is remarkable in itself. Eli had been a faithful priest and judge but now he is old and blind and sadly had failed to guide and direct his sons who were also priests. Samuel, still a child, is reluctant to bring the message of judgement to Eli who is his guide and mentor. Though flawed, Eli had a deep respect and love of God and so recognises that it is a message he has to hear. His response is a message for us all “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him!” Eli knew that his sons had no respect for the priesthood; and as a devoted priest himself, he would have known that things needed to change. It was a change Eli was unable to accomplish but it was also a change that he understood and accepted. Samuel is growing in his relationship with God, who is equipping him for the great tasks that lie ahead. As the nation changes from Judges to a Monarchy there will be many difficult messages that Samuel has to announce. Samuel the child receives the message from God that Eli’s priestly family will be deposed, reminding us that it is not age nor experience but relationship and obedience that is valued by God. As God honoured Samuel his authority grew and people learned to trust his word. From his birth Samuel was dedicated to God and through God’s authority and direction he oversaw the changes in the nation which introduced the Davidic line of kings.
Prayer. Sovereign Lord, kings will come and go but you are king for all time and before you we bow in reverence and worship. You alone are Lord God and only to you do we owe allegiance. Accept our thanks and praise for revealing yourself to your servants down through the generations. They stand as witness to your power and love. In you all can find help and correction and through you all can know the renewal that you bring. Help us to faithfully serve you. Enable us by your grace to always keep your will and way before us as we live out our lives. We ask through the Name of Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit; one God for ever more. Amen
Reading. Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 As we read the verses from this psalm one of the first things that we need to notice is that the psalmist has an understanding of the sovereignty of God. God as Creator understands every part of the creation including the human beings who are part of the creation. As such, nothing is hidden from God; because of that God is never wrong-footed and always remains sovereign. Despite the greatness of God the psalmist has no hesitation in recognising that this God, our God, knows us personally: Indeed from before the cradle and then beyond death God’s personal interest in each of us remains. No wonder this produces the statement, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it”. Psalm 139:6 (NRSV) Because God knows us so well nothing about us is hidden. When we accept the reality that before God all is known a true sense of freedom can come to us.
Using the psalm as part of the Lectionary Readings we can see that the choice of verses is quite selective and very positive. If we look briefly at the rest of the verses we notice that as the psalm draws to a conclusion the psalmist is pleading for judgement on the wicked. It is not exactly clear just who are “the wicked” but if we think about it most of us at one time or another have longed for harsh judgement to be meted out on wrong doers. Careful reflection can remind us that demanding judgement is contrary to biblical teaching, and as such is outside our role as godly human beings and followers of Jesus Christ. This adds even greater weight to just how glorious and loving the God that we worship is, for despite who or what we are, when “I come to the end—I am still with you.”Psalm 139:18 (NRSV)
Prayer. Known and Unknown God, while we are open to you, you are still a mystery to us. We thank you that you have revealed yourself to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. In him we find our sins forgiven and our many faults covered through his obedient sacrifice. We thank you that because of him we can feel at ease in your presence for your word reminds us that there is no other name by which we must be saved. Keep us close to Jesus we pray and guide us that our lives being open to you may always honour you. Help us to live with the mystery of faith and trust Jesus in all things. We ask in His Name. Amen
Collect. Let us pray (for the gift of peace):
Almighty and ever-present Father, your watchful care reaches from end to end and orders all things in such power that even the tensions and tragedies of sin cannot frustrate your loving plans. Help us to embrace your will, and give us the strength to follow your call, so that your truth may live in our hearts and reflect peace to those who believe in your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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