Rev. JoBeth
Marshall
Lectionary
Scripture: Psalm 124; James 5:13-20; Mark
Sermon
Synopsis of: God wins over paper every
time"
Would you protect
yourself or your windows from a hurricane or tornado using "paper or
plastic?" I don’t think so! You’d use the most sturdy
piece of plywood you could find.
Whether we are in
physical, moral or spiritual danger, we need the strongest thing to protect us.
Nothing is stronger than the Lord God who created us and made heaven and earth.
The last verse of Psalm 124 reminds us where to get deep, profound help. Verse
8 says "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and
earth." God is always with us, always hears our prayers and always
answers are prayers . . . . sometimes the answers are
not what we had anticipated hearing. But in whatever circumstances we find
ourselves, we are to pray unceasingly for ourselves and for others. Sometimes
all we have the ability to pray is "Thanks" or "Help" . . .
. if it is sincere that is OK and God hears.
Jacques Cousteau
a 20th Century Explorer, Ocean Adventurer and Ecologist said:
"If
we were only logical, the future would be bleak indeed. But we are more than
logical, we are human beings, and we have faith, and we have hope and we can
work."
When we work in
holy community we multiply our gifts. At the same time we are able to divide
our problems which often makes them easier to solve.
A Prayer from
"Reaching for Rainbows by Ann Weems:
"O God, who gave us spirits capable of love,
Give
to all Faith that endures
And
hope that is pervasive;
But
above all else, let all
be filled with the knowledge that
Love
and Hope never give up”
So Be it and Amen.