Living in the Spirit

June 9, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 50:7-15
Hear, O my people, and I will speak,
   O Israel, I will testify against you.
‘   I am God, your God.
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
   your burnt-offerings are continually before me.
I will not accept a bull from your house,
   or goats from your folds.
For every wild animal of the forest is mine,
   the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know all the birds of the air,
   and all that moves in the field is mine.

‘If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
   for the world and all that is in it is mine.
Do I eat the flesh of bulls,
   or drink the blood of goats?
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
   and pay your vows to the Most High.
Call on me in the day of trouble;
   I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.’

Another scripture that came to mind when I read the above Psalm was Joel 2:13:

   rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
   for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
   and relents from punishing.

We want to give to God what is of value to us, God wants what is of value to God. The Lord, who created the earth and all that is in it, does not need burnt offerings or our trying to be better than anyone else, resulting in self-righteousness. God created us primarily to love. Love requires humility, justice, and concern for others.

Prayer: Lord, help us answer your call to love one another, not substitute self-righteousness for love. 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.