In doing so, I am fully aware that I am only entering in on a historic practice, followed by God’s people in every age. My hope is simply to learn myself from the discipline how to better enter into God’s sovereign presence and be filled with his Spirit.
Week of July 5 (Fifth after Pentecost) - Psalm 48
Why have you deigned, O Lord, to come among us, if not to lift our sights to your true glory? We confess that it is easy in the pressure of daily life as we know and experience it to be overly impressed with earthly powers. No doubt the Israelites were too, as when they hesitated to enter the Promised Land from the south when they saw "men like trees walking."
Remind us through the psalmist how great you are and greatly to be praised, how beautiful in elevation is your holy mountain, "the joy of all the earth." Awaken in us the security of finding ourselves within your citidals where you have shown yourself "a sure line of defense."
Remind us too how the places you inhabit cause even kings to tremble, as when your east winds shatter ships and even the bravest scatter in panic. Let all your mighty acts in history boost our confidence in you. Teach us to take daily this week--even if only in our mind's eye--a virtual tour around your towers, to consider their ramparts and go through their citidals, until boosted in our own confidence we begin again to tell the next generation boldly and uniquivocally that you are God and you alone can be trusted to be our guide and theirs forever. Amen.
July 12 (Sixth after Pentecose) - Psalm 24
You have told us, Lord, through your prophet Isaiah that in returning and rest we shall be saved, and in quietness and in trust shall be our strength (30:15). Is that why we have been given some time away in summer, simply to absorb again what it is often hard to remember, that thole earth is yours and everthing in it?
Strip us, Lord, of all we have built and may even now be trying to build on false foundations. Help us to stand tall in your holy place, with pure hearts that do not lift up their souls to what is false, so that we may indeed ascend into your presence and receive your blessing.
Help us in our time and place to seek the God of Jacob who you were and are, the King of glory, that we might humble ourselves in your presence and let you possess our spirits. Cause us to see and feel your glory this summer, and fling wide the gates of our hearts and minds as fall approaches,, confident that all who seek your face will know both your power and grace. Amen.
Week of July 19 (Seventh after Pentecost) - Psalm 23
How fitting this great psalm seems in summer, God, with its shepherd-like themes. How good to be reminded that you are a gracious God, ready to lead us in green pastures beside still waters, ever longing to restore our souls.
You do lead us in right paths for your name's sake. In even the darkest of valleys you are with us, your rod and staff both protecting and comforting us.
And the table you prepare for us, even in the presence of our enemies, is forever overflowing with good things. You anoint our heads with oil and fill our cups to overflowing.
To all this there is no end. Your goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives. Should we not then be dwelling in your house our whole life long?
Like another psalmist (131) I have calmed and quieted my soul before you, Lord. I am like a child at its mother's breast. Keep me me in your flock, dear Lord, and lead me with all your people in keeping with your will until together, by your grace, your bring us to eternal life. Amen.
Week of Junly 26 (Eighth after Pentecost) - Psalm 14
Gentle as you are, God, in your Spirit and intention for us, surely there are times when even you get impatient. Why do we all so often run away from you rather than toward you? We confess that we are corrupt and, like our forebears are prone to do abominable things. Like mindless sheep we often go astray. And, yes, like people in the psalmist's time, we also give ourselves sometimes to perversity.
Surely it is not because we know no better, for who that has once experienced you could ever say that? Our problem is cleary the sin of selfishness, seeking and protecting our advantage over others, not least the poor and disadvantaged.
Remind us in our wilfullness of the terror announced here, the terror that awaits all those, including us, who fail to repent and return to you as Savior and Lord. And then, O God, true to your promise, restore the fortunes of your people that we, with Jacob and Israel of old, may rejoice once more in belonging to you. Amen.
