Living in the Spirit

August 30, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 26:1-8
Vindicate me, O Lord,
   for I have walked in my integrity,

   and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
   test my heart and mind.
For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
   and I walk in faithfulness to you.

I do not sit with the worthless,
   nor do I consort with hypocrites;
I hate the company of evildoers,
   and will not sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence,
   and go around your altar, O Lord,
singing aloud a song of thanksgiving,
   and telling all your wondrous deeds.

O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell,
   and the place where your glory abides.

I must confess this scripture hit me in all the wrong places. I was OK with the first two segments, but when I reached, I do not sit with the worthless I felt a negative reaction through my whole being. No one is worthless, and we all have experienced our battle with hypocrisy. Why is it that humans tend to establish their worth in comparison to being better than others? I am not an athlete, but I appreciate the ones I watch who only seem to work to improve themselves.

I fear when we put so much emphasis on being better than others, we begin to feel unworthy, which brings us down. When we work to become the best person we can be in whatever areas God has graced us with skills, we learn to appreciate the skills and talents of others and help them feel worthy.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we feel our worth is based on someone else’s lack of worth. Help us to live lives that celebrate everyone’s worth. 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.