Living in the Spirit

September 9, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13

The Lord works vindication
   and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
   his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always accuse,
   nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
   nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
   so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
   so far he removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
   so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. –Psalm 103:9-13

I do not know how God works. My sense is God’s work is designed to deal with the issues of individuals within the much broader context of all people and how in consideration of all people, God can bring hope and love to each individual based on his or her unique needs. That is am exemplary leadership model.

God’s actions are further complicated because of God’s great desire that God’s people be free to choose how we respond to God and to one another. The Bible reports varied results based on our choices. We learned those stories as children. The Exodus of people being freed from slavery is an example of God’s response to oppression. Yet, it was not long before those same people God saved were demanding food in the wilderness wanting to go back to Egypt. When Moses did not return from the mountain soon enough, those people worshiped a golden calf. God may not be slow to anger, but we are quick to forget God’s works on our behalf.

We people of privilege need to carefully read the words The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. As California burns, the south and east coast of the USA faces hurricanes, and the Midwest is assailed by freak storms. As these catastrophes are reported, some comment near the end of the stories often identifies the cause as climate change. We choose to ignore the problem while we stubbornly hold on to our desire to have our carbon and clean air too. Being unwilling to reduce our carbon footprint to curb climate change is harmful to both ourselves and our neighbors. I do not think God necessarily sends pestilence on us. Still, God knows it will happen if we do not love ourselves and one another in all aspects of life. That includes reducing our carbon footprint. We see the same attitude toward wearing masks to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Prayer: Lord, forgive when we insert self-righteousness for your righteousness and justice. 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.