Pastor Mark BerlinJune 28th 2020
1What misery is mine! I am like one who gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster of grapes to eat, none of the early figs that I crave. 2The godly have been swept from the land; not one upright man remains. All men lie in wait to shed blood; each hunts his brother with a net. 3Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire-- they all conspire together. 4The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen has come, the day God visits you. Now is the time of their confusion. 5Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with her who lies in your embrace be careful of your words. 6For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- a man's enemies are the members of his own household. 7But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
153Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. 154Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. 155Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees. 156Your compassion is great, O LORD; preserve my life according to your laws. 157Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes. 158I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word. 159See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love. 160All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
34'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to turn ''a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- 36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' 37'Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 40'He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.'