Living in the Spirit

Living in the Spirit

September 7, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Lord God has given me
   the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
   the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—
   wakens my ear
   to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord God has opened my ear,
   and I was not rebellious,
   I did not turn backwards.
I gave my back to those who struck me,
   and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
   from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me;
   therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
   and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
   he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
   Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
   Let them confront me.
It is the Lord God who helps me;
   who will declare me guilty?
All of them will wear out like a garment;

   the moth will eat them up.

Last week the lectionary dealt with listening but not hearing. Today Isaiah tells us that The Lord God has opened my ear,  and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. He suggests that we must want to hear God even when we fear we will not like what God says. Our relationship with God is the most important relationship we have. It should define and drive all other bonds with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and strangers. Romans 8:31 states it this way, What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? That statement came from Paul, who was beaten, imprisoned, and eventually executed for his faith.

Christ-followers have heard the most precious truth that God loves us just as we are and is with us every step of our way as we grow in our ability to love like Jesus. It is not a secret for us to keep; it is the simple solution to the complex problems in which we find ourselves today, and it has been there from the beginning of time. We can share this message to others in words like these, but they make a much more significant impact when we share God’s Love through our deeds.

Prayer: Following your example, Lord, empower our love in service to oneness in our world. 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.