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July 9, 2019

Getting Unskewed

Doyle Burbank-Williams   |   Read Psalm 82:1-8

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Lectionary Week
July 8–14, 2019
Scripture Overview

Amos is a farmer called by God to deliver a message to Jeroboam, the king of Israel (the Northern Kingdom in the divided monarchy). Because the king has not listened to the warnings from God, judgment will come. The psalmist also warns of judgment, in this case for those who oppress the weak and needy and fail to protect them from the wicked. Such heartless people will surely be brought low by God. The opening to the letter to the Colossians is a prayer of thanksgiving for their faith in Christ and the spiritual fruit they are producing in the world. The parable in the Gospel reading challenges our human tendency to ignore need. Jesus teaches that mercy should overcome any reason we might find to harden our hearts.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Amos 7:7-17. Look for God’s plumb line in the world. In what ways is the ground you stand on askew?
Read Psalm 82. If you sit on the council of the Most High, how does this change your perspective on the world?
Read Colossians 1:1-14. Prayers of mere words are just the beginning of prayer. To what prayerful actions do your prayerful words call you?
Read Luke 10:25-37. The author writes, “Even those trying to be faithful walk askew.” Consider how you live out Jesus’ call to love your neighbor.

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 82:1-8

1 God takes his stand in the divine council; he gives judgment among the gods: 2 “How long will you judge unjustly by granting favor to the wicked? Selah 3 Give justice to the lowly and the orphan; maintain the right of the poor and the destitute! 4 Rescue the lowly and the needy. Deliver them from the power of the wicked! 5 They don’t know; they don’t understand; they wander around in the dark. All the earth’s foundations shake. 6 I hereby declare, “You are gods, children of the Most High—all of you! 7 But you will die like mortals; you will fall down like any prince.” 8 Rise up, God! Judge the earth because you hold all nations in your possession!

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

The Saint Benedict Center in Schuyler, Nebraska, is a beautiful spiritual retreat center. It has soaring ceilings and long, expansive hallways. The breathtaking perspective its ceilings and hallways offer communicates an essential message: You are small, especially in comparison to the awesome beauty of God.

Psalm 82 begins with that...

Change our perspective, Most High God. Teach us to see the hope you place in our hands, and then use those hands to change the world. Amen.


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