Eighth Sunday after Trinity - 2014

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.57-64

Portio mea, Domine

THOU art my portion, O Lord : I have promised to keep thy law.

58. I made my humble petition in thy presence with my whole heart : O be merciful unto me, according to thy word.

59. I called mine own ways to remembrance : and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60. I made haste, and prolonged not the time : to keep thy commandments.

61. The congregations of the ungodly have robbed me : but I have not forgotten thy law.

62. At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee : because of thy righteous judgements.

63. I am a companion of all them that fear thee : and keep thy commandments.

64. The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy : O teach me thy statutes.

The Collect.

O GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which be profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Zechariah 4.1-10

Psalter: Psalm 39, 41 | 37

Epistle Reading: Romans 8.12-17

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 7.15-21

Toon: “Christians believe, teach and confess that God is in final and ultimate control of everything that occurs in the cosmos and in the heaven of heavens, where are the angels. There is no space or time which is not governed by his will. He’s got the whole wide world in His hand.

Since God is the sole Creator of the universe, of things visible and invisible, it follows that he is the Sustainer and Governor of the same. This is not to say that the world we know is without problems and pain. God governs it together with its sin and shame and does so according to his own pure and wise purposes and plans. In the End the whole cosmos will freely submit to his Authority, after which his providence will not need to take into account human and angelic rebellion, evil and sin. Then the whole created sphere will be filled with his glory.

God is the God of Order. There is holy Order within the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, and so God looks to bring order to his world, our home which is disordered by our sin.

If God the Father by the working of his Spirit is truly governing all things and working events for the long-term spiritual good and salvation of his elect people, then it is appropriate that these same people should cooperate with him as far as in them lies. They should ask of him what they know is pleasing to him. So they ask that he prevents from harming them all hurtful things - including everything from evil spirits through bad friends to harsh employers; and at the same time that he gives them those things which will profit them as disciples of Christ and sojourners and pilgrims on earth - good Christian worship, teaching and fellowship, fine opportunities for meditation and prayer, open doors for Christian service and so on.

God’s providence brings good out of evil for his adopted children and so what may seem at first sight and on the surface to be hurtful things may prove to be profitable because what begins as apparently evil finally comes out as good! In fact, when God’s adopted children are submitted to him in faith, hope and love, then they find that all things that come their way turn out to be for their true good and everlasting salvation.

God not only guides his people by his providence but he also ministers to then within their souls through the indwelling Spirit (see the Epistle, Romans 8:12ff.). His desire is that his people shall enter the kingdom of heaven because they do his well on earth (see the Gospel, Matthew 7:15ff.)” (http://www.pbs.org.uk/the-bcp/eighth-sunday-after-trinity).