Sublime

For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.”

This is one of the Songs of Ascent, one of the songs the Israelites sing as they travel on foot—from wherever their tribal allotment happens to be—all the way to Jerusalem, three times a year.

I know the bright baptismal rains, I love your tender troubled skies,

They’re on their way to Canaan, the promised land.

10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is

Isaiah 55: My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (vv. 8–9)

WE NEED YOUR FORGIVENESS (PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE) Remove the flood of wicked thoughts ∙ Pluck us out of the pit ∙ How have I taken your name in vain? ∙ Set me apart, Lord ∙ We are so sleepy ∙ From heaviness to joy ∙ A prayer of remorse for the nation ∙ I need your remedy ∙ Will you forget me forever? ∙ Let me dwell in your mansion, Lo

21 Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!