Living in the Spirit

September 28, 2022

Scripture Reading: Psalm 37:1-9
Do not fret because of the wicked;
   do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
   and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
   so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
   trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your vindication shine like the light,
   and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
   do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
   over those who carry out evil devices.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
   Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off,
   but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

The word translated in the NRSV Bible as patience among the listing of the fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) in other translations reads forbearance or longsuffering. I tend to identify more with the translation longsuffering. Patience is a nice word. Longsuffering is a self-pitying word. Patience is encouraging a baby to take its first steps. Longsuffering is waiting for a teenager who is already an hour late from curfew while the parent wonders if the teen has been killed in a wreck or whether the parents want to wring the teen’s neck for being late and making them worry. Both understandings apply to our work in implementing the beloved community that Jesus called us to champion. At times, we take baby steps, and at other times we must step out in faith into the unknown of spiritual growth needed to complete the tasks set before us. Babies land on their back sides many times before that first step lands. Whether we like it or not, teenagers must learn from their own mistakes as adults also must.

The above Psalm teaches us that we never are alone as we journey through our lives serving God. We need to develop the spiritual disciplines to lean into God’s presence in all that we do and trust God to do God’s part.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your patience in helping us develop as your servants. Forgive us for any long-suffering we cause you as we learn from our own mistakes. 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.