Pr. DFD

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Proper 13 Series C

Proper 13 Notes

(July 31-August 6)

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–26

Colossians 3:1–11

Luke 12:13–21

O Lord, grant us wisdom to recognize the treasures You have stored up for us in heaven that we may never despair but always rejoice and be thankful for the riches of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Faith in Christ Is Rich toward God

To live for earthly things “is vanity and a striving after wind,” and work that is driven by such vanity “is an unhappy business” (Ecclesiastes 1:13–14). The man who lives like that has nothing to show for “all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun. … All his days are full of sorrow” (Ecclesiastes 2:22–23). So, too, your “covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5), makes a god out of that which cannot give you life or happiness. For “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). But “Christ who is your life” (Colossians 3:4), in giving you Himself, gives you all the wealth of heaven. Instead of striving to lay up treasures for yourself, be “rich toward God” in Him (Luke 12:21).

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege -

Sin is especially seen in selfishness. As we worship and magnify self, God and our neighbor are pushed out of our lives. Thus they are not loved, and love is the fulfillment of the law. Jesus thus warns in Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 12:13-21), ““Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness…” Our self-worshiping lovelessness is clearly detected by the evidence of our covetous (greedy) hearts.

At first glance the parable of the wealthy farmer seems to have little meaning. Every farmer wants his land to be productive, as was the case for the man in the parable. There is nothing inherently wrong with being wealthy; faithful Abraham and faithful Job are examples of wealthy Christians. Additionally there is nothing wrong with building larger barns and there is nothing wrong with storing one’s goods in such barns. It is not necessarily wrong to “eat, drink and be merry”, for this can even be something wonderful (Eccl. 8:15; Luke 15:23).

To understand the parable the context must be observed. Preceding the parable Jesus states, “…one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Thus the parable teaches how easily one can be caught up in the wrong-headed thinking that life does consist in “my” possessions. After the parable Jesus explains, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” From the parable we realize that to be “rich toward God” does not mean having all kinds of money and things. Being “rich toward God” foundationally means having faith and trust in God. Thus the man Jesus was rich toward God, having perfect faith/trust in the providence of His God and Father. Such faith culminated in Jesus giving up all his possessions—even his life—ultimately dying on the cross. Christians realize Christ did this to earn forgiveness—even for our sins of covetousness. We are now “rich toward God” when we have (as a gift) a Christ-like faith/trust in God, with such trust in God including a repentant faith, a faith that, upon confessing sin, receives the forgiveness earned by Christ.

A second aspect of being “rich toward God” consists in our God-generated love for our neighbor. The Lord Jesus had this wealth beyond measure as He gave His life as a ransom for even His enemies. The wealthy farmer in the parable had none of this wealth; he was only rich toward self. Jesus shows the omission of the farmer’s love toward his neighbor as He repeatedly uses the little word “my” in the parable. The farmer confesses self: “my crops” “my barns” “my grain” “my goods”. Both faith in God the provider and the resultant love toward neighbor are absent in the “me-centered” rich man of the parable. This lovelessness toward the neighbor is also conveyed by the little word “all”. In his new barn the wealthy farmer says, “I will store all my grain and my goods.” None of his wealth will go to his neighbor; it’s all mine!

Appropriately Jesus follows the parable with statements summarizing being “rich toward God”. He first describes faith/trust in God the provider, climaxing with the salvation promise: “Fear not, little flock, for it is our Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Secondly the Lord Jesus describes our love toward our neighbor: “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy.” May the Spirit grant us grace to be “rich toward God”, trusting His temporal and eternal providence in Christ, and loving our neighbor with our God-given wealth.

The Parable of the Rich Fool

Luke 12:13

Εἶπεν δέ τις ἐκ τοῦ ὄχλου αὐτῷ• Διδάσκαλε, εἰπὲ τῷ ἀδελφῷ μου μερίσασθαι μετ’ ἐμοῦ τὴν κληρονομίαν.

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

- He is expecting a certain outcome.

Luke 12:14

ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ• Ἄνθρωπε, τίς με κατέστησεν κριτὴν ἢ μεριστὴν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς;

But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?”

- Jesus does not teach about the way, He is THE WAY, to be the reconciler and mediator.

- People want something from Jesus rather than Jesus Himself.

- Do not worry about what you will get from the dead guy. What will you do when you’re the dead guy?

Luke 12:15

εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς• Ὁρᾶτε καὶ φυλάσσεσθε ἀπὸ πάσης πλεονεξίας, ὅτι οὐκ ἐν τῷ περισσεύειν τινὶ ἡ ζωὴ αὐτοῦ ἐστιν ἐκ τῶν ὑπαρχόντων αὐτῷ.

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

- Not in the abundance of one’s possessions does one’s life exist.

- Remember, riches attract greet!

Luke 12:16

εἶπεν δὲ παραβολὴν πρὸς αὐτοὺς λέγων• Ἀνθρώπου τινὸς πλουσίου εὐφόρησεν ἡ χώρα.

And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully,

Luke 12:17

καὶ διελογίζετο ἐν ἑαυτῷ λέγων• Τί ποιήσω, ὅτι οὐκ ἔχω ποῦ συνάξω τοὺς καρπούς μου;

and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’

- He argued within himself. A negative argument. He wants to keep it all for himself.

Luke 12:18

καὶ εἶπεν• Τοῦτο ποιήσω• καθελῶ μου τὰς ἀποθήκας καὶ μείζονας οἰκοδομήσω, καὶ συνάξω ἐκεῖ πάντα ὸν σῖτον καὶ τὰ ἀγαθά μου,

And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

- I will build even bigger barns.

Luke 12:19

καὶ ἐρῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου• Ψυχή, ἔχεις πολλὰ ἀγαθὰ κείμενα εἰς ἔτη πολλά• ἀναπαύου, φάγε, πίε, εὐφραίνου.

And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’

- You eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we live!

- Ψυχή – the whole person – body and soul.

- See the temptation in the garden, “you will be like God!”

Luke 12:20

εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ θεός• Ἄφρων, ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ τὴν ψυχήν σου ἀπαιτοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ• ἃ δὲ ἡτοίμασας, τίνι ἔσται;

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’

- On this night, your soul (all of you) will be demanded of you.

Luke 12:21

οὕτως ὁ θησαυρίζων ἑαυτῷ καὶ μὴ εἰς θεὸν πλουτῶν.

So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.

- Where does God hide today? He hides in the neighbor.

__________________________

Time in the Word - Proper 13

The theme for this coming week is “possessed by possessions”. In the Gospel lesson Jesus refuses to champion the cause of one who wants his inheritance and goes on to teach by a parable that in the pursuit of wealth one can lose one’s soul. In the Old Testament lesson, the theme of vanity is shown when a man works hard to accumulate wealth only to leave it to one who did not work for it. In the Epistle lesson Paul gives us a contrast between heavenly virtues and earthly vices which are to be shunned.

A Collect during Pentecost: O God, the Protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy, increase and multiply Your mercy on us that with You as our Ruler and Guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for Proper 13: O Lord, grant us wisdom to recognize the treasures You have stored up for us in heaven that we may never despair but always rejoice and be thankful for the riches of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever.

For proper use of wealth: Almighty God, all that we possess is from Your loving hand. Give us grace that we may honor You with all we own, always remembering the account we must one day give to Jesus Christ our Lord.

For steadfast faith: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in the faith to the end and finally come to love everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Against the love of money: Almighty God, heavenly Father, You have called us to be Your children and heirs of Your gracious promises in Christ Jesus. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may forsake all covetous desires and the inordinate love of riches. Deliver us from the pursuit of passing things that we may seek the kingdom of Your Son and trust in His righteousness and so find blessedness and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Monday, 25 July 2022—Psalm 49:7-8, 13-14a, 15; antiphon, Psalm 49:1-2 God is the owner of the earth and all that is therein. In giving to God we merely return that which is His own. The vanity of life is explained in this psalm. Also this psalm teaches that death comes to all. This psalm is similar to Psalm 39. Psalm 49 is a meditation on life and death. A typical piece of wisdom on life’s inequalities. At the end of the line death waits for the materialist not even he can buy himself off. The “moral” is similar to that of Jesus’ parable of the rich man found in Sunday’s gospel.

Generally speaking the psalmists have no clear concept of life after death and verse 15 is therefore often taken as a reference to premature death. But this undermines the reasoning, which requires ironing out of this life’s inequalities beyond the grave.

Tuesday, 26 July 2022—Psalm 100— Praise God. His mercy endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations. “The Lord is God” and “The Lord is Good” Let the whole earth sing and be glad.

Wednesday, 27 July 2022—Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-26— The vanity of accumulating wealth and leaving it to one who did not work for it. To get property, financial security, and a sizeable nest-egg, one usually must work hard and long for it, unless he inherited a fortune. To get ahead financially, a husband may work night and day, hold more than one job, and his wife may work, too. The question must often come to these people’s minds: Is it worth the work? Are our material desires and standards too high? Are we missing out on the better things of life by giving all our time and effort to making money? Our lesson speaks to these questions.

Thursday, 28 July, 2022—Colossians 3:1-11— A Christian seeks to acquire heavenly virtues and shuns earthly vices. Many live according to earthly values. Usual folks walk with heads down, seeing worldly things, and thinking negative thoughts.

A Christian lives with his feet planted in two worlds – in this world of materials and vices, and in a higher world of heavenly values where Christ is. Since Christ has ascended, we on earth look to Him for our values, goals, and ideals while on earth. Our lives are impoverished by preoccupation with worldly values leading us into negative thoughts and wicked actions. The wagon of life needs to be hitched to the star of Christ.

Friday, 29 July 2022—Luke 12:13-21— The parable of the rich fool. Jesus said, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” If it does not consist of material goods, of what does life consist? Most people feel that money is the key to real living. After winning the Irish Sweepstakes, a woman exclaimed, “Now I’m going to start living!” People need to know what makes life worthwhile.

Saturday, 30 July, 2022 – Psalm 143:8 – The hymn of the week is “All Depends on Our Possessing” (LSB 732). This much loved hymn is best summed up in stanza three. Contemplate its impact in light of the readings for the week, “Many spend their lives in fretting over trifles and in getting things that have no solid ground. I shall strive to win a treasure that will bring me lasting pleasure and that now is seldom found.”

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 12 Series C

Luke 11:1-13

No one would ever do this!

When Jesus tells a story, it’s always given for a purpose, a divine purpose. Jesus knows His hearers/ He knows how they will react. He knows how they will behave. He knows what they are thinking before a thought enters their head. He knows your mind because He knows your heart.

Jesus tells a story that is contrary to fact. No one would ever do that! Your elderly neighbor is stranded in her driveway with a flat tire. She sees you retrieving your evening paper. You do not go back into the comfort of your home! Instead, you change her tire or at the very least, you call AAA. Retreat? Never! No one would ever do that!

Your neighbor calls at midnight. Company is coming. He needs three loaves. A friend has come from a long journey. There is nothing to set before him. “I say to you, though he will not rise and give him because he is a friend, yet because of his importunity (persistence) he will rise and give him as much as he needs.” V.8

“Trouble me not! The door is shut. My children are with me in bed. I cannot rise and give thee.” No one would ever do this!

With this story Jesus teaches His disciples He taught them to pray. Bette than John. In teaching, He showed them the face of the Father. “God would by these words tenderly invite us to believe that He is our Father and that we are His true children so that we may ask Him confidently with all assurance, as dear children ask their dear Father”.[1]

Fathers, mothers, grandparents only want what is best for their children. If they ask for a loaf, do you give them a stone? If he asks for a fish, do you give him a serpent? If she asks for an egg, do you give her a scorpion?

Why do we fret? Because you only have one shot of being a good parent. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? V.13

Fathers, mothers, grandparents – evil? Yes! Evil! As sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, we have inherited an evil spirit that has rendered us terminal. The soul that sins it will die. Ezekiel 18:20 Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins Ecclesiastes 7:20 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

As sinners, we each find ourselves in the same sinking ship. No one can help us. No one can save us, except for Jesus Christ. He entered time and space to be your redeemer. He took all of your sins, all of your imperfections, all of your evil and wicked habits and foibles and took them to Himself It was there at the cross he died for you.

His enemies made sure He was dead. They took deliberate steps to make sure He was made to be silenced.

As He slept in the tomb, a doubting and skeptical world cried out “He’s in bed with all of His children. The door is shut. It is night. He can’t rise. The guard, the stone, the seal. They would hold Him, His critics thought. He can’t disturb us any more with His troubling words and His acts of mercy.

But on the third day, Christ victoriously rose from the dead. He now offers to you forgiveness of all of your sin, life and salvation.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

Rejoice this day. Jesus provides for you. He gives you the opportunity to speak His peace of forgiveness to others and to each other. He provides eternal bread daily according to your need.

God gives daily bread, even without our prayer even to all the wicked but we pray is this petition that He would lead us to know and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving. And what is meant by Daily Bread? Daily Bread includes everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body comes from your heavenly Father. This includes meat drink clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, Money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful magistrates, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors and the like. [2]

In this life and in the world to come the Lord provides. In this life, not only does he forgive sins but He also encourages us to forgive and strengthen our neighbor.

When we pray, “forgive is our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” we pray that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sin, nor deny our prayers on account of them. For we are worthy of none of the things for which we pray neither have we deserved them. But that He would grant them all to us by grace. For we daily sin much and indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.[3]

All that is needed is the word “Amen”. What is meant by the word “Amen”? That I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven and heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray, and has promises that He will hear us. Amen, Amen, that is yes, yes, yea, yea, yo, yo, it shall be so! [4]

Words-1,050
Passive Sentences –10%
Readability – 84%
Reading Level – 4.3

[1] Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer Small Catechism of Martin Luther LSB pg. 323
[2] Explanation to the 4th Petition of the Lord’s Prayer Small Catechism of Martin Luther LSB pg. 324
[3] Explanation to the 5th Petition of the Lord’s Prayer Small Catechism of Martin Luther LSB pg. 324
[4] Explanation to Conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer Small Catechism of Martin Luther LSB pg. 324

Friday, July 22, 2022

Saturday prior to Proper 12

[1]

Matthew 6:5-13; 7:7-11 – The hymn of study this week is “Come, My Soul, with Every Care” (LSB 779). In every need in every circumstance take it to the Lord in prayer.

Come, my soul, with ev'ry care;
Jesus loves to answer prayer.
He himself bids you to pray.
He will never turn away,

You are coming to a king--
large petitions with you bring.
For his grace and pow'r are such,
none can ever ask too much,

With my burden I begin:
Lord, remove this load of sin;
let your blood, for sinners spilt,
set my conscience free from guilt,

Lord, your rest to me impart;
take possession of my heart.
There your blood-bought right maintain,
and without a rival reign,

While I am a pilgrim here,
let your love my spirit cheer.
As my guide, my guard, my friend,
lead me to my journey's end,

Show me what I have to do;
ev'ry hour my strength renew.
I would have your will, not mine;
for it's perfect, good, and kind,

John Newton (b. London, England, 1725; d. London, 1807) was born into a Christian home, but his godly mother died when he was seven, and he joined his father at sea when he was eleven. His licentious and tumultuous sailing life included a flogging for attempted desertion from the Royal Navy and captivity by a slave trader in West Africa. After his escape he himself became the captain of a slave ship. Several factors contributed to Newton's conversion: a near-drowning in 1748, the piety of his friend Mary Catlett, (whom he married in 1750), and his reading of Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ. In 1754 he gave up the slave trade and, in association with William Wilberforce, eventually became an ardent abolitionist. [2]

For the right understanding of Christ: Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us perfectly to know Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the way, the truth, and the life that following His steps we may steadfastly walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.[3]

Collect for Saturday of the week of Pentecost 7: Father, grant us insight, so that we may look deep into your Word, and not cling to superficial or shallow understandings. Grant us to focus that we may not be mesmerized by shadows or illusions, but concentrate on the substance of Your Word, and this we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen (Anonymous) [4] -23 July, 2022

[2] https://hymnary.org/text/come_my_soul_with_ever_care

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Friday prior to Proper 12

[1]

Luke 11:1-13— Jesus gives the Lord’s Prayer and teaches persistence in prayer. It is common practice for many to ask once and forget it. How long should we pray for something? Is unanswered prayer a “no” answer? In the Gospel for Sunday Jesus teaches that there is no limit to the number of times we pray. The friend wanting bread comes at midnight when his friend is in bed. The man wanting to borrow bread kept asking and pounding until in desperation he got out of bed and gave the food. It wasn’t because of friendship but because his friend would not quit bothering him. He would not take “No” for an answer. Jesus teaches that we should ask, see, and finally knock to get what we want. Persistence in prayer is necessary.

In direct response to the request by the disciples that He teach them to pray Jesus gives them the Lord’s Prayer. The small divergences between the form of the Lord’s Prayer here and that in Matthew’s Gospel are an indication that the essential point is not an exact repetition of the words. In this lesson which emphasis is placed upon relationship here. God is identified as “father.” The disciples do not come to someone out of who gifts have to be unwillingly extracted, but to a father who delights to supply his children’s needs.

Jesus offers a most excellent illustration pertaining to persistent prayer. Since the whole family slept in one room, it was a great imposition to disturb the householder, because it involved disturbing and rousing the whole family. Not only did the midnight visitor disturb, he knocked on with “shameless persistence,” until the householder acquiesced in the requests of the determined borrower. To the petitions of the disciples Jesus gives the definite promise that their prayers will be heard and draws attention to the best gift of all, His Holy Spirit.

Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 7: Grant us, O God, to hear Thy voice; and in hearing Thy voice, to love Thy Word; and in loving Thy Word, to do Thy will. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen [3] -22 July 2022

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Thursday prior to Proper 12

[1]

Colossians 2:6-15— Paul exhorts his people to live in Christ in whom dwells the fullness of God. We live on earth only once and almost everyone wants to get as much out of life as possible. But how do you achieve a happy and fulfilling life?

Your life in Christ is centered in your baptism. Luther has said, “There is on earth no greater comfort than baptism.” Aimless wanderers- that is what many individuals appear to be today in our world. They have no direction, no purpose, no solid basis for living. At times we all may even ask, “Where is life leading me?” In the midst of this questioning comes good news. In Jesus we are more than wanderers.

Verse 7 is a key verse. Paul encourages “be rooted in Christ.” To be “rooted” in Christ is to be circumcised in Christ. Circumcision was a sign of entering a covenant with God. Baptism is the Christian’s circumcision; we enter into a covenant with Christ. Now we are His, we belong to Him; we live under Him as our Lord and Savior.

“Be built up in Christ.” In Vs.12 Paul says we are buried and rise with Christ in Baptism. We die to self and are risen a new creation. The new creation is now a process of being raised even higher into the fullness of Christ.

“Have faith in Christ”. Believe in Jesus as the One in whom dwells the fullness of God.

Finally, St. Paul encourages us to “give thanks.” Christians give thanks to God for Jesus. For Jesus freed us from the curse of the Law by nailing the Law to the cross. From this we have forgiveness. Also, give thanks for Jesus’ victory over the power s of evil. Because of Jesus, we are free from din, death and the evil powers of this world.

For an answer to prayer; Almighty God, You have promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in Your Son’s name. Mercifully incline Your ears to us who have now made our prayers and supplications to You, and grant that those things that we have faithfully asked according to Your will we may receive to meet our need and bring glory to Your; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. [2]

Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 7: O Jesus Christ, the mirror of all gentleness of mind, the example of highest obedience and patience, grant me your servant true devotion to consider how you, innocent and undefiled Lamb were bound, taken, and hauled away to death for my sins how well content you were to suffer such things, not opening your mouth in impatience, but willingly offering yourself unto death. O gracious God, how vilely were you mishandled for my sake! O Lord, let this never come out of my heart. Take away my heart’s coldness and sloth, stir up love and fervency toward you, provoke me to earnest prayer and make me cheerful and diligent in your will. – Miles Coverdale (1488-1568) [3] -21 July 2022

[1] Lift High the Cross copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2]Collect for an answer to prayer, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[3][3] Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 7, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

. Wednesday prior to Proper 12

[1]

Genesis 18:20-33— Abraham bargains with God not to destroy Sodom for the sake of 10 righteous people. In addition to the idea of persistence in prayer, our Old Testament lesson teaches us a number of timeless truths. God is concerned about conditions on earth. Vv. 20-21. We do not have a God high in the heavens who could not care less what happens on earth. In the case of Sodom, God Himself comes down to the city for a first-hand investigation. God knows and cares about the human condition.

The wrath of God is real. In verse 22 God intends to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Sin is punished. The wrath of God is visited upon the wicked. This applies to any city or nation at any period of history. A corrupt society will experience its consequences. In verse 25 Abraham tests God’s justice. Would God destroy the righteous along with the wicked? God would not do that; He is a just God.

Vv. 27 and 30 speak concerning the attitude of one in prayer. Abraham realizes he has no right he had no right to speak to God, to approach God, to make any requests. This is the attitude of one who knows his finiteness and unworthiness to speak to God in prayer. Prayer is no friendly chat between equals. It is an audience with the Holy One, full of majesty and glory. Sodom was destroyed because 10 righteous people were not found in the city. Diogenes could not find one honest man in his land. Are there as many as 10 really righteous people in your city?

Collect for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost: Grant Lord, that the course of this world may be so governed by Your direction that Your Church may rejoice in serving You in godly peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. [2]

Collect for Proper 12: O Lord, let Your merciful ears be attentive to the prayers of Your servants, and by Your Word and Spirit teach us how to pray that our petitions may be pleasing before You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. [3]

Collect for Wednesday of the week of Pentecost 7: Grant, Lord, that the course of this world may be so governed by your direction that your Church may rejoice in serving you in godly peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [4]

[1]Lot flees Sodom Woodcut by Baron Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures ©WELS for personal and congregational use
[2] Collect for Pentecost 7, Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis
[3] Collect for Proper 12, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St., Louis
[4] Collect for Wednesday of the week of Pentecost 7, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY