Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 5: Year 1
Morning, Psalms 75 and 76; Evening, Psalms 23 and 27;
Ecclesiasticus 46:1 to 10; 2nd Corinthians 13:1 to14; Luke 20:1 to 8:
“Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever:” (Last verse of Psalm 23).
I think Psalm23 is the most famous Psalm of all. Many people know it by heart, including me. For this evening we also have Psalm 27. There is a related verse in it. It reads, “One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life:” (from Psalm 27). There is a difference here. Psalm 23 proclaims “for ever,” whereas Psalm 27 asks for as long as the Psalmist lives.
I know it sounds petty but my requests are eternal requests. I don’t know what the eternal life is like. Do we eat food in the next life? Do we even get hungry? Do we breathe in the next life? Do we need air? I am of this earth and I don’t know any other way to exist. O God I need you to help me understand. I want to dwell in your house regardless of what that existence is like. But I am afraid. I need your help and your counsel. Or else I am not sure I will be able to handle eternal life which I so desperately want.
“Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me. You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” Your face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not your face from me, nor turn away your servant in displeasure. You have been my helper; cast me not away; do not forsake me, O God of my salvation:” (Verses from Psalm 27). This is my prayer as well.
I truly feel that God is the God of my salvation. I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, for whatever that living is like. God’s ears hears my tears. And I am so thankful. I also remind myself that God is the God of loving surprises. We must expect the unexpected.
Pray with me if you will: “Surely God’s goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, and with God’s guidance, we will dwell in comfort and joy in the house of the Lord for ever:” Thank You Lord Jesus.
Let us live in order that we might love, rather than just live to live, listening to what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 