August 1 (Tenth after Pentecost) – Psalm 107:1-8, 43
We are called to give thanks for a reason, Lord, and the reason lies in recalling all you have done for us in times past. It is easy to forget, of course, and wonder then where you are when we need you in the present. But calling to mind your presence in times past, not to mention your mighty deeds on behalf of your people throughout history, is to know that you can be counted on today and in the future.
The redeemed of the Lord have been gathered, delivered, led, and satisfied time and again. And we are surely among such together with the psalmist. Let those who are wise give heed to these things, he declares, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord (v. 43).
Summer and time away is a wonderful opportunity for me to do just that, Lord. I have remembered your presence in my life since childhood, and am giving thanks for each reminder of the wisdom of trusting in you, whatever lies ahead.
August 8 (Eleventh after Pentecost) – Psalm 50:1-8, 22,23
I was summoned to court duty this week, Lord, and though it was delayed because I am out of state and will likely even be cancelled for my being over 70, strange now to be reminded that you too summon me and all your people—indeed the whole earth—to come before you. And from your summons there is no reprieve. It is we who will be judged, my faithful ones as you put it, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice (v.5).
You summon us to judgment. You--the mighty one, God the Lord--will speak. I will testify against you, you say. Why? Not for our sacrifices to you evidently, but for the lack of thanksgiving with which we offer them, their emptiness void of the vows that should always accompany them.
Your warning is stark. Those who forget you will be torn apart and there will be no one to deliver. But the promise remains even yet to those who repent and bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice. To all who go the right way, says the Lord, I will show the salvation of God.
You summon us to judgment. You--the mighty one, God the Lord--will speak. I will testify against you, you say. Why? Not for our sacrifices to you evidently, but for the lack of thanksgiving with which we offer them, their emptiness void of the vows that should always accompany them.
Your warning is stark. Those who forget you will be torn apart and there will be no one to deliver. But the promise remains even yet to those who repent and bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice. To all who go the right way, says the Lord, I will show the salvation of God.
August 15 (Twelfth after Pentecost) – Psalm 80: 1,2, 8-19
Thank you, Lord, for the psalmist’s plea to come to us, you who are enthroned upon the cherubim. We know we need much more than we can ever supply to you. What we need is you yourself, coming to us, you who lead Joseph like a flock. And we cry out with the psalmist, Stir up your might, and come to save us.
As before you called on us to remember your mighty acts, so now we call on you to remember as well. You brought a vine out of Egypt, you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it…. Why have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
We plea to you, even as in times past you have pled with us. Look down from heaven and see; have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted…. Give us life, and we will call on your name…. Let your face shine, that we may be saved.
As before you called on us to remember your mighty acts, so now we call on you to remember as well. You brought a vine out of Egypt, you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it…. Why have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
We plea to you, even as in times past you have pled with us. Look down from heaven and see; have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted…. Give us life, and we will call on your name…. Let your face shine, that we may be saved.
August 22 (Thirteenth after Pentecost) – Psalm 71: 1-6
If King David needed deliverance, O Lord, how much more to we who follow in his train? In you alone is our refuge, sinful like him as we are, and wayward. Short of taking refuge in you we live in shame. Only your righteousness can deliver and rescue us. Unless you incline you ear toward us we are lost.
Surrounded by our enemies as well as yours, we need you to be our strong fortress. Only you can deliver us from the hands of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Do not leave me to myself, O Lord. Let my praise be of you and my hope continually in you.
Surrounded by our enemies as well as yours, we need you to be our strong fortress. Only you can deliver us from the hands of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Do not leave me to myself, O Lord. Let my praise be of you and my hope continually in you.
August 29 (Fourteenth after Pentecost) – Psalm 81: 1, 10-16
Memories again, Lord, confront us with the psalmist. Good memories, as when you delivered us in power and love. But bad memories too, memories of our faithlessness, even our rebellion against you. It is hard to hear you say, My people did not listen to my voice. Israel would not submit to me.
So when that happened you gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. Might you be expected to do the same to us? And are you, in fact, doing it in our land even now?
O Lord, have mercy. Help us to hear your pleading: O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! Then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their foes…. I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.
So when that happened you gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. Might you be expected to do the same to us? And are you, in fact, doing it in our land even now?
O Lord, have mercy. Help us to hear your pleading: O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! Then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their foes…. I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.
