Worship Guide-- Year B, Ordinary 14 (Proper 9 )

Our King is the best! Even when he is long gone, Israel waited for his return or for someone just like him, for David’s story is a nation-building story. Even when his humanity was present in full force, and Israel saw that he was not a perfect man, the nation of Israel adored him. It doesn’t matter what was the truth; what they believe about him was what was important. Remember, when Israel wanted a king, God reminded them what a king would do. “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: He will take...and take…and take…(1 Samuel 8:10-18).

On one of our biggest “nation-building” days, we might understand this even more than ever. On July 4th, our big day, it may be easy to think of the United States of America as being God’s favorite. But our God is not one to be mocked. Even Jesus could not be “the one” to his own hometown.

No political, social, or economic system is perfect. What we can be thankful for is the idea of forming a “more perfect union” which reminds us that we are not perfect. We can be better. Just as we pray for God’s reign on earth, and confess our own ways that put up roadblocks, it is a time and a day to approach, with as much honesty as we can bear, who we are and to whom we belong. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

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Come. Let us enter into worship.

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