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Two of the lessons remind us of the season-autumn-with images and phrases of harvest (Psalm 65 and Joel 2); the epistle lesson concludes our seven weeks in 1st and 2nd Timothy with an aged missioner’s final piece of advice, and in the gospel lesson we return to the subject of prayer.

PSALM 65-HARVEST TIME

What a great harvest festival theme! In this psalm the psalmist extols God as the provider of a season of plenty. The entire psalm is composed of three strophes; the first is addressed to those in Zion and then broadly to "all flesh," recalling God’s forgiveness of our transgressions, and a general blessing for God’s goodness. The second strophe continues reveals God’s majesty in creation while the final strophe highlights God as the harvest-producer-the one who waters, provides seed, softens the earth, and who brings forth bounty.

JOEL 2:23-32-GOD AS RESTORER

This passage compliments our psalm reading since it too, points to the rain that softens and waters the earth and to the One who ultimately controls the harvest. But in this passage, God goes beyond mere harvest promises to a personal promise to a beleaguered people; God promises to restore the land, the crops, the people so that once again peace will rule and God will reign among them. Nor more shame for God promises to personally be among these people, pouring forth the Spirit of God to motivate and empower that will bring many to saving grace.

2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8; 16-18-ADVICE FROM A HALL-OF-FAMER

In the opening lines of these final words, Paul reveals his own assessment of his impending trial: I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near (v. 6). He speaks of his ministry more in the past than the present, using imagery of a boxer or runner both of whom have finished their respective contests. Still drawing on the Olympian language and image mixed with theology, Paul writer anticipates his reward for his efforts. In the final three verses of the lesson, vv. 16-18, Paul remembers for his protégé the loneliness of standing for the faith alone-no one came to my support, yet he affirms that Someone was with him all along-the Lord stood by me.

LUKE 18:9-14-THERE WERE THESE TWO GUYS . . .

We have another parable-story-lesson about prayer: two people approach God in prayer. One gets God’s ear, the other one ends up only talking to himself. What makes the difference in prayer is the posture of prayer and that is where Luke takes us on this Sunday.