Living in the Spirit

August 23, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 138

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
   before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down towards your holy temple
   and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
   for you have exalted your name and your word
   above everything.
On the day I called, you answered me,
   you increased my strength of soul. –Psalm 138

I do not remember when I started praying for God to heal my soul. I had grown weary of all the hate in the world, where there are rarely opportunities or willingness to find common ground, even among people of faith.  Politicians have identified this reality. They do all they can to take advantage of this to divide and concur. Those of us who follow Jesus who called us to be one (John 17:21), must take this seriously. Thus, I loved the final line of the scripture quoted above. I was unfamiliar with this, although I am sure I have read it. That is why we read and re-read the scriptures as we grow in faith and love.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for increasing our strength of soul. 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.