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July 29, 2020

Painful Blessings, Bewildering
Abundance

DEBORAH SMITH DOUGLAS   |   Read Psalm 17:1-7, 15

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Lectionary Week
July 27—August 2, 2020
Scripture Overview

Jacob is attacked one night by an unknown assailant and wrestles with him until morning. We discover that the assailant comes from God, so Jacob is given a new name, Israel. The psalmist is feeling unjustly accused and cries out to God. He is confident that he would be vindicated if all the facts were known. In Romans, Paul deals with difficult theological issues. He states that he would sacrifice his own soul if his fellow Israelites would accept Christ. Jesus teaches a crowd that is growing hungry, and his disciples are trying to figure out how to feed them. They see only what they lack, while Jesus asks them what they have. This story is a lesson about offering God what we have and trusting God to multiply it.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Genesis 32:22-31. When have you been forced to wrestle with yourself or your self-identity? How did this struggle reveal a blessing?
Read Psalm 17:1-7, 15. When have you felt the need to serve as your own advocate before God? How has this experience affirmed your trust in God?
Read Romans 9:1-5. When have you experienced Paul’s anguish that others do not accept what you have come to know in your faith, whether by conversion, denominational change, education, or encounter with God? How do you continue to be in relationship with such family or friends?
Read Matthew 14:13-21. When have you witnessed small acts of sharing that have led to great abundance?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 17:1-7, 15

1 Listen to what’s right, LORD; pay attention to my cry! Listen closely to my prayer; it’s spoken by lips that don’t lie! 2 My justice comes from you; let your eyes see what is right! 3 You have examined my heart, testing me at night. You’ve looked me over closely, but haven’t found anything wrong. My mouth doesn’t sin. 4 But these other people’s deeds? I have avoided such violent ways by the command from your lips. 5 My steps are set firmly on your paths; my feet haven’t slipped. 6 I cry out to you because you answer me. So tilt your ears toward me now listen to what I’m saying! 7 Manifest your faithful love in amazing ways because you are the one who saves those who take refuge in you, saving them from their attackers by your strong hand. 15 But me? I will see your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be filled full by seeing your image.

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

This psalm of David is a tough one to read. And it seems a dangerous one to pray. The psalmist is sure of his own righteousness, convinced that his personal enemies are enemies of God and thirsting for savage vengeance (especially in the verses of the psalm omitted from the...

Gracious God, deliver us from self-righteous anger, and “wondrously show your steadfast love” to those who put their trust in you. Amen.


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