Living in the Spirit
July 6, 2016

Scripture Reading: Psalm 82

‘How long will you judge unjustly
   and show partiality to the wicked?
Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
   maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
   deliver them from the hand of the wicked.’ –Psalm 82:1-3

While the USA government was founded on the principle of religious freedom, there is no question that many of its tenants derive from some of the founders Judeo-Christian backgrounds. The very center of government’s responsibilities to assure the Common Good lies at the heart of that background. It, however, also has very practical applications. As I write this the US Congress is considering how to fund a response to the Zika virus that is beginning to invade our land. Zeka’s mosquito carriers do not differentiate between the rich and the poor, the haves, and the have-nots, the sinners, and the saints. We have a shared responsibility to do whatever we can to prevent the spread of this disease wherever it may strike. Some in Congress are using it as a tool for political leverage even when time is of the essence.

We do not wisely judge when we invest our souls in power and greed instead of the Common Good. There is room for discussion and negotiation regarding every issue considered. Having people with diverse backgrounds and knowledge bases leads to better decisions. In my work for social justice, I have learned much from small business owners about the challenges of paying a minimum wage much less a living wage. I still strongly believe that wages need to be adjusted, but done so in a way that allows a business to remain solvent. Problems often arise when other interests cloud the issues.

The Psalmist is calling us to task in our scripture today for letting those other interests overrule what is the best for all of God’s people.

Prayer: Lord, keep us so centered in your love that we can readily recognize distractions for what they are and circumvent them toward finding your will in our lives. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.