Deuteronomy 32:10-13, 1 Kings 17:5,Psalm 121:1-8, Matthew 5:1-12

Deuteronomy 32:10-13

10 In the wilderness he found them,

in a barren, howling wasteland;

he shielded them and cared for them

as the apple of his eye.

11 Like an eagle watching its nest,

hovering over its young,

supporting them on its spread wings

and carrying them on its pinions,

12 the Lord alone led them,

without the aid of a foreign god.

13 He made them ride on the heights

and live on the produce of the earth.

He gave them honey to suck from the rock,

olive oil from the hard stony crag,

This I know Beloved, You are a loving and faithful God and Your love for me is everlasting. 

1 Kings 17:5

So Elijah obeyed the word of Yahweh.

When we obey Your word miracles can happen.  Loving humility in total obedience is the key to living a life pleasing to You my God.

Psalm 121:1-8

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains –

from where shall come my help?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

maker of heaven and earth.

3 Will he let your foot slip,

the one watching over you?

Will he slumber?

4 No, the guardian of Israel

neither slumbers nor sleeps.

5 The Lord is your guardian, the Lord is  at your side and you in his shade;

6 Sunstroke will not be for you by day,

nor the spell of the moon by night.

7 The Lord guards you from every evil;

he will protect your life.

8 The Lord watches over your coming and going

both now and forever.

What a beautiful Psalm my Lord - it speaks of loving confidence and child-like trust in the almighty and all powerful God whose Name is Love.

Matthew 5:1-12

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down and his disciples gathered around him. 2 Then he spoke and began to teach them:

3 Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Fortunate are those who mourn, they shall be comforted.

5 Fortunate are the gentle, they shall pos­sess the land.

6 Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.

7 Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy.

8 Fortunate are those with a pure heart, for they shall see God.

9 Fortunate are those who work for peace, they shall be called children of God.

10 Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 11 Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers. 12 Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God. This is how this people persecuted the prophets who lived before you.

Beloved, like Moses You climbed the mountain, gathered Your people around You and gave them the laws by which they were to live by.  The beatitudes are the terms of reference for Your people who wish to live their lives in perfect imitation of the Master.  You turn the the rules of happiness of the 21st Century on its head - it is a culture which promotes instant gratification, self-love, hedonism, and materialism.  You give us the means to true happiness and contentment the reward of which is life in perfect union with You in Your Kingdom.  It comes at a price - the price of dying to self.