weekly reflection: sunday september 5

Here's the passage and reflection quotes for this Sunday. They are usually available by the Thursday prior to worship, once our bulletin goes to print. They are a great way to prepare and ponder.  

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 16:5-14

5As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family

came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came

out. 6He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops

and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7As he cursed, Shimei said,

“Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel! 8The LORD has repaid you for

all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned.

The LORD has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to

ruin because you are a man of blood!”

9Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse

my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”

10But the king said, “What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah?

If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do

you do this?’”

11David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, who is of my own

flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him

alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. 12It may be that the LORD will

see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.”

13So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going

along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and

showering him with dirt. 14The king and all the people with him arrived at their

destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

Reflection — Life of David | Accused

In the confession of concrete sins the old man dies a painful, shameful death

before the eyes of a brother. Because this humiliation is so hard we continually

scheme to evade confessing to a brother… In the deep mental and physical

pain of humiliation before a brother—which means, before God—we experience

the Cross of Jesus as our rescue and salvation. The old man dies, but it is

God who has conquered him. Now we share in the resurrection of Christ and

eternal life.

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God’s plans, but God is not

helpless among the ruins. Our broken lives are not lost or useless. God’s love

is still working. He comes in and takes the calamity and uses it victoriously,

working out his wonderful plan of love.

— Eric Liddell, Disciplines of the Christian Life

Foul I to the fountain fly;

Wash me, Savior, or I die.

— John Newton, “Rock of Ages”