Nineteenth Sunday After Trinity (B C P). Series

Psalm 141:1-8, Genesis 18:23-32, Ephesians 4:17-32, Matthew 9:1-8.

A). TRUST IN THE MIDST OF TRIAL.

Psalm 141:1-8.

This is a confident cry for help in the midst of tribulations. It is addressed initially to “YHWH,” our covenant Lord (PSALM 141:1). Then later the Psalmist addresses “YHWH Adonai” - emphasising both our personal relationship with Him, and His sovereignty over us (PSALM 141:8a).

David lays out His prayer before the LORD as “incense” (PSALM 141:2a). Cf. Revelation 5:8 - ‘golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints.’

The Psalmist desires that the “lifting up” of his hands in prayer should be as valid as the evening sacrifice, and should thus be acceptable with God (PSALM 141:2b).

David was aware that even praying people need the LORD to guard them against sins in thought, word or deed; and against the dangers of keeping bad company (PSALM 141:3-4).

The Psalmist would rather be reproved by the righteous than feast with the wicked. And he would accept that reproof with humility, remembering to pray for his brethren when they too face calamities (PSALM 141:5).

PSALM 141:6 may refer to the fall of Saul and the eventual advancement of David.

David remained painfully aware that he was not the only believer who would ever suffer. Perhaps he also prophesied of calamities that would yet come upon Israel - and the church - when he said: “Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one (ploughs and breaks up) the earth” (PSALM 141:7).

The Psalmist fixes his “trust” in “GOD the Lord” and prays, “leave not my soul desolate” (PSALM 141:8).

APPLICATION.

Let us look unto Jesus as ‘the author and finisher of our faith’ (cf. Hebrew 12:2). He has promised, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’ (cf. Hebrews 13:5). We can be assured that when we put our trust in Him, He will never leave our soul desolate.

B). A BOLD PRAYER.

Genesis 18:23-32.

The conversation between the LORD and Abraham suggests a relationship. God shares His Word with His covenant children, and prompts us to respond. If we are made privy to the purposes of the LORD then we may, without presumptuousness, speak our mind about those things which we do not understand.

“Will you also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” asked Abraham. “If there are fifty righteous” will you spare the place for the sake of the fifty? “Far be that from you” to slay the righteous with the wicked: “shall not the Judge of all the earth do that which is right?” (GENESIS 18:23-25).

We can shape our prayers in accordance with what we know about the character of God. Yes, replied the LORD, “if I find fifty righteous there, I will spare all the place for their sakes” (GENESIS 18:26).

Abraham had taken upon him to “speak unto the LORD” in such a way, but never lost sight of the fact that he was but “dust and ashes.” Yet he pressed on with boldness: “What if the fifty lacks five?” (GENESIS 18:27-28a).

“If I find forty-five righteous there, I will not destroy it” (GENESIS 18:28b). The numbers continued to come down. “I will not do it for forty’s sake” (GENESIS 18:29).

“Oh let not the LORD be angry.” Thirty? “I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD.” Twenty? (GENESIS 18:30-31).

“Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once.” Ten? (GENESIS 18:32a).

“I will not destroy it for ten’s sake” (GENESIS 18:32b).

This seemed to conclude the conversation. God seemed determined to destroy Sodom, and would not be deterred. Yet the prayer was not unanswered, God did not “destroy the righteous with the wicked.” For ‘righteous Lot,’ Abraham’s nephew, who had been ‘vexing his righteous soul with their unlawful deeds’ was ‘delivered’ (cf. 2 Peter 2:7-8), along with two daughters. Why? ‘Because the LORD remembered Abraham’ (cf. Genesis 19:29).

Abraham is to be admired for his broad vision. He knew that God ‘is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance’ (cf. 2 Peter 3:9). Where there is life, there is still opportunity: but nevertheless, if people use their ‘free will’ to go on defying God, then the consequences are grave.

As we continue our mission of prayer before Him, we are thankful that we have access to the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ. May the desires of our hearts be conformed to His will, that we may approach Him with holy boldness (cf. Hebrews 4:16) and gracious submission. To His name be the glory. Amen.

C). THE OLD LIFE AND THE NEW.

Ephesians 4:17-32.

Having argued the case for keeping the unity of the body of Christ (cf. Ephesians 4:1-16), Paul now moves on to insist upon the maintenance of true holiness.