Preparing for Worship - September 19, 2021

People often think today of the hard time we have as believers in Lord in a very troubled, sinful world. It is not anything new. This week, we see the opposition to God and His will being experienced in each of our lessons. Yet, God is still with His people, serving them.

The Psalm is Psalm 54. David is in danger from King Saul and is in hiding. People around him tell Saul where he is,  and Saul is coming to capture him. You can read the story in 1 Samuel 23:19-29. David writes and prays this psalm, asking for the Lord’s help. “O God, save me by Your Name… Behold, God is my Helper, the Lord is the upholder of my life.” And the Lord continues to care for him.

In the Old Testament lesson, Jeremiah 11:18-20, God reveals to Jeremiah that enemies are out to destroy him, including people from his own home town. He is “like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter” simply because he is speaking the true Word of God and warning people who are unbelievers of their sins. Yet, God will “judge” the situation “righteously” and care for Jeremiah.

The Epistle is from James 3:13-4:10. James speaks of the “jealousy and selfish ambition” of so many people who oppose “the wisdom from above,” from God, and create “disorder and every vile practice,” and so many “quarrels and fights.” James calls all to repent and “humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

In the Gospel lesson, Mark 9:30-37, Jesus takes His disciples aside to teach them about His coming suffering and death and resurrection, for them and for the world. They only care about themselves, though, and “had argued with one another about who was the greatest” among them. Jesus has to teach them again that in the Kingdom of God, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Jesus then used the example of receiving and helping a little child, as that kind of service; and He would soon give up everything by dying in our place on the cross, to serve and forgive and save us.