Living in the Spirit

August 6, 2020

Scripture Reading: Psalm 85:8-13

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
   for he will speak peace to his people,
   to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
   that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
   righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
   and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
   and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him,
   and will make a path for his steps.

This Psalmist longs to hear and see God among the people. God will be recognized when steadfast love and faithfulness meet and when righteousness and peace are joined. Love is the driving force of faithfulness* as righteousness** is of peace. These words we read are the Word we are to live. Our living the Word is the glory of God.

I think of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter as excellent examples of steadfast love and faithfulness. God calls us to love one another with that degree of fidelity. Faithfulness is not limited to marriage. We are called to love our neighbors as we love ourselves faithfully.

Righteousness equals justice, and justice does indeed lead to peace. We live in a time of fear and mistrust dealing with a pandemic amid acts of violence, both disproportionately impacting persons of color.

What do we think the world would be like if we genuinely wanted the absolute best for each person and all people? I saw a story on the news recently of a neighborhood that at one time was primarily populated with people of color. In recent years more and more white people have relocated there. Because of the recent shootings of black people, one of the black residents who once ran every day in the neighborhood became concerned for his safety. Upon establishing positive relationships among a growing group of white and black people, he was joined on his run by a diversity of his neighbors, turning love into faithfulness and righteousness into peace.

Prayer: Faithful and Righteous God, help us reflect your glory in our everyday lives. Amen.

*Faithful–true and constant in affection or allegiance see at https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/faithful

*Righteous– characterized by uprightness or justice see at https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/righteous

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.