David Wildman: "Must the Sword Devour Us Forever" (Sermon for August 18, 2024)

Friends,We live in a time of great political transition—both in the US and globally—a time of genocide and endless hate & strife. The last few weeks we at St. Paul & St. Andrew have wrestled with stories from the life and rule of King David. This week we will reflect on David’s death-bed charge to his son (see 1 Kings 2:1-10). David charges Solomon (the next commander-in-chief) to carry on the unfinished task of violent revenge. What if the writer of 1st Peter, a chaplain and pastor to refugees, displaced & unhoused, made a pastoral call on King David? Would David’s fears have been relieved? Would his last gasp for vengeance be stilled? (read 1 Peter 3:9-15 for some clues). Do we fear that nothing can stop the sword, the violent hate speech, and the genocide we face today? Are we yearning for a pastoral call that gives us some hope?Join us Sunday and we will pose these questions together.  And, perhaps we will find a word of hope that empowers us to make some pastoral calls ourselves. See you Sunday! David Wildman