Stay near God and keep a low profile

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Devotions: Ps 23,27, 75, 76; Sirach 51:1-12; Rev 18:1-14; Lk 14:1-11

YHWH is my Shepherd, and I will lack nothing! He guides me—beside still waters, into a state of peace and restoration, on paths of righteousness. God blesses Himself by caring for me. Even if I walk through the darkest shadow I fear no evil, for You Are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me. Lord, You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint me with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will pursue me all my days, and I will live in God's house forever! YHWH is my Light and my Salvation; I will fear nothing! When I am attacked, God will cast down my assailants. I ask on this of my God: to dwell in His house forever. I offer to Him my thanks and praise. Lord, don't turn Your servant away in anger, but instruct me in Your ways. I believe I will live to see God and His goodness; meanwhile, I wait upon YHWH, in the strength and courage He provides. Let us abide and await our God! Let the boastful keep their peace; God is in control, putting one down and exalting another. I will rejoice and sing God's praises forever. God is glorious, more majestic than the everlasting mountains. You are terrible, God; none can withstand You!

I will thank You, Lord and King, my Savior! You have delivered me from danger and slander. When death has drawn close, You have been closer still, and have delivered me from its clutches. Your mercy, Lord, abides and endures! I appealed to YHWH, the Father of my Lord, and He has been faithful to deliver me. Thank You, God, for hearing and answering my prayers.

John saw a great angel descending from heaven, and the earth was brightened by his splendor. With a mighty voice, he declared: 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! It has become a dwelling for demons—every foul spirit, every fell bird; for all nations have drunk the wine of her impure passion; and the kings of earth have fornicated with her; and earth's merchants have grown rich by her wantonness.' Another voice from heaven called: 'Come out of her, My people, lest you partake in her sins and share in her plagues; her sins pile as high as heaven, and God remembers her iniquities. Render to her as she has rendered; repay her double for her wicked deeds; mix a double draught for her in her own flagon. She glorified herself and played the wanton; so give her like measure of torment and mourning. In her heart, she has declared herself a queen, no widow, never to see mourning. She her plague will come in a single day, pestilence and mourning and famine and fire: for mighty is the God Who judges her!' The kings of earth, who fornicated with her, will weep and wail over her, seeing the smoke of her burning. They will stand far off, fearing her torment, and cry, 'Alas! Alas, thou great city, mighty city, Babylon! In one hour, your judgment has come.' And earth's merchants also weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo any more: gold, silver, jewels, pearls, linen, purple, silk and scarlet, all sorts of scented wood, ivory articles, fine flour and wheat, cattle, sheep, horses and chariots, and human slaves. The fruit you longed for has gone away, and all your delicacies and your splendor are lost to you, never to be found again.'

One Sabbath, Jesus went to dine at the home of a ruler who was a Pharisee. Also present was a man suffering from edema. Jesus addressed the lawyers and Pharisees: 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?' No one answered. Jesus took the man and healed him, and let him go. Then Jesus turned again to the lawyers and Pharisees: 'Which of you, having an ox or a son that has fallen into a well, will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?' They could make no answer. Then Jesus told this parable to those present, when He noticed how they strove to occupy places of honor: 'When you are invited by anyone to a marriage feast, don't sit down in the place of highest honor, lest a person more eminent than you also be invited. Then, the host would come and say to you, "Give place ot this man," and you will be shamed and have to sit in the lowest place. Instead, when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place; so then, when your host arrives, he may say to you, "Friend, go up higher!" And you will be honored before everyone at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.'