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September 18, 2017

Presence and Provision

HAKYOUNG CHO KIM   |   Read Psalm 105:1-6

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Lectionary Week
September 18–24, 2017
Scripture Overview

The reading from Exodus 16 concerns Israel’s primary memory of food given in the wilderness, given where there are no visible sources of life, given in the face of restless protest, given wondrously and saving Israel from both hunger and despair. The verses from Psalm 105 recall the marvel of God’s grace during the wilderness years and the people’s joyful response. In the Philippians text Paul wrestles with the question of God’s will with respect to his own leadership. Paul not only explains the meaning of his incarceration but goes beyond that to explain the meaning of his life: “Living is Christ and dying is gain.” Matthew 20 reminds the reader that in the kingdom of heaven God’s mercy is often surprising, even offensive. People are valued not because of their economic productivity but because God loves and engages them.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Exodus 16:2-15. What experiences have strengthened your trust in God?
• Read Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45. Spend a moment recounting God’s faithfulness to you in the past. Does recalling those times encourage your obedience to God today?
• Read Philippians 1:21-30. Paul acknowledges the importance of his physical presence to the Philippians. Whose physical presence makes a difference in your life?
• Read Matthew 20:1-16. What situations in your life make you question God’s fairness? When have you been envious because of God’s blessing of another?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 105:1-6

1 Give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make his deeds known to all people! 2 Sing to God; sing praises to the Lord; dwell on all his wondrous works! 3 Give praise to God’s holy name! Let the hearts rejoice of all those seeking the LORD! 4 Pursue the LORD and his strength; seek his face always! 5 Remember the wondrous works he has done, all his marvelous works, and the justice he declared 6 you who are the offspring of Abraham, his servant, and the children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

This psalm-hymn praises God for steadfast faithfulness to God’s people. Because it recounts some of the Exodus event and wilderness sojourn, we could also describe it as a history-psalm. The psalmist calls on God’s chosen people to remember the mighty deeds of Yahweh in their salvation history.
The first six...

Faithful God, we thank you for the story of your providential work. We praise you for the truth that you keep your promises to those who trust and obey. Amen.


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