Twentieth Sunday After Trinity (B C P). Series

Psalm 145:15-21, Proverbs 9:1-6, Ephesians 5:15-21, Matthew 22:1-14.

A). PROVIDENCE AND PRAISE.

Psalm 145:15-21.

Whether they know it or not, all flesh is dependent upon the LORD for their daily provision (PSALM 145:15). Whether they acknowledge it or not, no man can find sufficient sustenance without the LORD. It is better therefore to seek Him first, knowing that He will add to us ‘all these things’ (cf. Matthew 6:33).

If God provides for the birds of the air, how much more for you (cf. Matthew 6:25-27). It is good, therefore, to acknowledge God’s hand in all these things, and to gratefully receive His bountiful provision (PSALM 145:16).

Our trust in the LORD is not based in our ability to believe, but in His perfections. He is righteous in all His ways: He is just. He is kind in all He does: He is holy (PSALM 145:17).

It is good that we can view the LORD as a God who is not only transcendent, but also immanent. He is present within His Creation. He is “near” to all who call upon Him (PSALM 145:18). We should, therefore, ‘Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near’ (cf. Isaiah 55:6).

The one true God, the God of all integrity (cf. Deuteronomy 32:4; John 14:6; 1 John 5:20; Revelation 19:11) draws “nigh” unto all who call upon Him “in truth” with a matching integrity of heart (PSALM 145:18).

It is of the LORD’s mercy that He also hears our petitions (PSALM 145:19). This is particularly addressed to “those who fear Him” - those who revere His Name. We may not presumptuously or blasphemously call out His Name at every approach of trouble: but when we nurture a relationship with him, He is there for us, always.

He grants our desires because our desires are consistent with His. He hears our cry because we are His people. He ‘saves to the uttermost’ all that come to God via Jesus Christ, who forever lives to make intercession for us (cf. Hebrews 7:25).

The LORD preserves all who love Him (PSALM 145:20). This is the other side of our own perseverance: ‘he who endures to the end shall be saved’ (cf. Matthew 24:13). Yet we may not presume upon His grace: the God who is slow to anger (PSALM 145:8), is also the God who will punish the unrepentant (cf. 2 Peter 2:9).

The “each” and “every” of God’s comprehensive care find their final expression as the Psalmist speaks the praise of the LORD, and “all flesh” replies by “blessing” (speaking well of) His holy Name (PSALM 145:21). The groaning Creation (cf. Romans 8:22) at last finds relief in the “for ever and ever.” Amen.

B). THE CALL OF WISDOM.

Proverbs 9:1-6.

Even before she invited us, Lady Wisdom “built her house” (Proverbs 9:1). The hewing out of Lady Wisdom’s “seven pillars” speaks of completeness (unlike the ‘folly’ in Edinburgh which was never completed), spaciousness, and endurance. ‘I go to prepare a place for you,’ says Jesus, ‘that where I am there you may be also’ (John 14:2-3).

Throughout the Book of Proverbs, the personification of Lady Wisdom stands in stark contrast to that of Dame Folly. In this passage, Lady Wisdom invites us to a banquet. Her having “slaughtered her meat and mixed her wine” is synonymous with her having “prepared/ furnished/ spread her table” (Proverbs 9:2; cf. Psalm 23:5).

It is like when the men/ angels stopped by Abraham’s tent on the way to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham detained them, ordered that water be brought to wash their feet, and invited them to rest under the tree. Then he went indoors to make use of Sarah’s skills in the kitchen and ran himself (an old man!) to the herd to choose out a good calf and gave it to a young man to prepare it. And Abraham stood by his guests while they ate (Genesis 18:1-8).

This is not the only place where God offers hospitality. It is illustrated in the extravagant way that the father in Jesus’ parable receives back the Prodigal Son, offering a feast in his honour (Luke 15:22-24) - even running out to meet the younger man (Luke 15:20)!

And do you remember when Israel in her rebellion asked, ‘Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?’ (Psalm 78:19)? How He rained manna (Psalm 78:23) and quail (Psalm 78:27) upon them? Why do we ever question God’s provision when He has kept us hitherto?

God’s hospitality is seen in the way that He had the ravens feed Elijah (1 Kings 17:6). And in the provision of plenty from little to feed a hundred men in Elisha’s days (2 Kings 4:42-44). This is replicated in Jesus’ multiplying of the loaves and fishes to feed both the 5000 and the 4000 respectively, on two separate occasions.