Living in the Spirit
October 25, 2018
Scripture Reading: Psalm 34:19-22
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord rescues them from them all.
He keeps all their bones;
not one of them will be broken.
Evil brings death to the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
I noticed the clouds as I backed out of my driveway onto the street and discovered the sunglasses I wore by habit were unnecessary. Having just heard the morning weather, I remember it saying the rain was not arriving here until tomorrow. My bones afflicted with osteoarthritis are a good meteorologist as they send out their forecasts at the first arrival of weather changes. Indeed, they started talking to me already this morning. I picked up the two ladies, both older than me, I was transporting to the meeting where we were headed. One of them commented on how her knees were not bending well as she slipped into the back seat of my small car. Her bones are good meteorologist too.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous. Some like osteoarthritis are at least a nuisance at worst crippling. Fractured families that seem past healing cause immense distress. Poverty and its symptoms of hunger and hopelessness, inappropriate dress for the weather, lack of transportation cycle without end. Violence and oppression and the fear that is their driver increases all around. At times it is hard to remember that The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. Remember it, we must for the love of God is our source of hope and healing our way to shalom. The Psalmist reminds us of the magnitude of God’s love in our lives, in the small things and in the great as we continue to strive toward righteousness in the strength of that love.
Prayer: Lord, it is comforting that you even care about our bones. Thank you for your unconditional love. Amen.