14 Aug – The Peanut Gallery

Praying the Psalms

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

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 39 (NLT)

I said to myself,

“I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.”

But as I stood there in silence—not even speaking of good things—the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”

We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me. I am silent before you; I won’t say a word, for my punishment is from you. But please stop striking me! I am exhausted by the blows from your hand. When you discipline us for our sins, you consume like a moth what is precious to us. Each of us is but a breath.

Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. For I am your guest—a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me. Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: you are good and just; even though your ways are beyond our understanding. We are perplexed – the wicked prosper and the righteous are afflicted; and yet, you are the sovereign God, the ruler of all. Help us understand –

+ When will our sufferings end? Will death be our only relief?
+ Our lives are so brief and fleeting; what’s it all about?
+ Why do we wok hard all our lives; only to see it vanish?

O Lord our God: you are good and just; even though your ways are beyond our understanding. Our hope is on you –

+ Unfold your good purpose for us as we wait for you.
+ Deliver us from our transgressions and renew our strength.
+ Teach us self-restraint as we appeal to your mercy.
+ Show us how to live as sojourners in this present life.

O Lord our God: you are good and just; and you have given us your Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins and to lead us to our eternal home. This is all too wonderful for us to understand,; and yet, by faith we hold on to him as our certain hope for now and for ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 39” – The Women of the East Tennessee State University Chorale

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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!

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Please Read: Numbers 1-4 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Registration of Israel’s Troops

Numbers 1:1-4 (NLT) – A year after Israel’s departure from Egypt, the Lord spoke to Moses in the Tabernacle in the wilderness of Sinai. On the first day of the second month of that year he said, “From the whole community of Israel, record the names of all the warriors by their clans and families. List all the men twenty years old or older who are able to go to war. You and Aaron must register the troops, and you will be assisted by one family leader from each tribe.

Organization for Israel’s Camp

Numbers 2:1-2 (NLT) – Then the Lord gave these instructions to Moses and Aaron: “When the Israelites set up camp, each tribe will be assigned its own area. The tribal divisions will camp beneath their family banners on all four sides of the Tabernacle, but at some distance from it.

Numbers 2:17 (NLT) – “Then the Tabernacle, carried by the Levites, will set out from the middle of the camp. All the tribes are to travel in the same order that they camp, each in position under the appropriate family banner.

Numbers 2:32-34 (NLT) – In summary, the troops of Israel listed by their families totaled 603,550. But as the Lord had commanded, the Levites were not included in this registration. So the people of Israel did everything as the Lord had commanded Moses. Each clan and family set up camp and marched under their banners exactly as the Lord had instructed them.

Levites Appointed for Service

Numbers 3:5-7 (NLT) – Then the Lord said to Moses, “Call forward the tribe of Levi, and present them to Aaron the priest to serve as his assistants. They will serve Aaron and the whole community, performing their sacred duties in and around the Tabernacle.

Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT) – God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Lord God: Under the Old Covenant, you organized the life of your people with the Tabernacle at the center of it all. And now, under the New Covenant, you organize the life of your people with Jesus at the center of it all.

+ Thank you for the gift of life, abundant and eternal, for all who believe in your name.
+ Thank you for working for my good (I love you Lord}, and for calling me according to your good purpose.
+ Thank you for reminding me again that it’s not about me, it’s all about you; my life does not revolve around me.
+ Help me to ignore all the distractions around me, and make seeking your Kingdom my first priority.

Lord God: You alone are worthy of my worship and praise; call me into your presence throughout the day, that I might live with my end in mind – when one day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to your honor and glory. Amen.
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“Jesus at the Center” – Darlene Zschech