Morning Prayer, Saturday, 10 Oct 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in continual godliness,
that through your protection it may be free from all adversities,
and devoutly serve you in good works, to the glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Your loving-kindness is better than life itself…”
(Psalm 63:4)

Preparation:

 Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

Psalm 63

1 O God, you are my God; *
early will I seek you.
2 My soul thirsts for you, my flesh also longs after you, *
in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
3 Thus I have looked upon you in your holy place, *
that I might behold your power and glory.
4 For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; *
my lips shall praise you.
5 As long as I live I will magnify you, *
and lift up my hands in your Name.
6 My soul shall be satisfied, as with marrow and fatness, *
when my mouth praises you with joyful lips.

7 When I remember you on my bed, *
I meditate on you in the watches of the night.
8 Because you have been my helper, *
therefore under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
9 My soul clings to you; *
your right hand has upheld me.

10 Those who seek to destroy my life *
shall go down into the earth.
11 Let them fall upon the edge of the sword, *
that they may be a portion for jackals.
12 But the King shall rejoice in God; all those who swear by him shall be commended, *
for the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

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“Psalm 63”  – Brentwood Baptist Church Choir & Orchestra

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New Living Translation (NLT)

Proverbs 10 (The proverbs of Solomon)

11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain;
the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

21 The words of the godly encourage many,
but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.

25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,
but the godly have a lasting foundation.

30 The godly will never be disturbed,
but the wicked will be removed from the land.

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Consider:

“Your loving-kindness is better than life itself…”
(Psalm 63:4)

God’s lovingkindness “denotes the Divine Love condescending to His creatures, more especially to sinners, in unmerited kindness.”

It is frequently associated with forgiveness, and is practically equivalent to “mercy” e.g. “showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me”; “slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness.”

Being such an essential and distinctive quality of God, the prophets taught that it should also characterize His people.

__ International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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Life is dear, but God’s love is dearer. To dwell with God is better than life at its best; life at ease, in a palace, in health, in honor, in wealth, in pleasure; yes, a thousand lives are not equal to the eternal life which abides in Jehovah’s smile. In him we truly live, and move, and have our being.

__ Spurgeon

+ all life is transient, God’s mercy is everlasting

+ all creatures share life, only the chosen receive lovingkindness

Q: Do you consider yourself as one of the chosen?

Q: Why do you think God chose you, or not?

Q: Do you seek a better life, or a deeper relationship with God?

Q: How does that work itself out in your life?

Prayer:

+ Teach me to seek you, and as I seek you, show yourself to me; for I cannot seek you unless you show me how, and I will never find you unless you show yourself to me. Let me seek you by desiring you, and desire you by seeking you; let me find you by loving you, and love you in finding you. Amen.
(Anselm of Canterbury)

+ O God, of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are enough for me. I can ask for nothing less that is completely to your honor, and if I do ask anything less, I shall always be in want. Only in you I have all. Amen.
(Julian of Norwich)

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“Called Me Higher” – ReGen Harmony

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Blessing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.