Living in the Spirit

July 24, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 119:129-136

Your decrees are wonderful;
   therefore my soul keeps them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
   it imparts understanding to the simple.
With open mouth I pant,
   because I long for your commandments.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
   as is your custom towards those who love your name.
Keep my steps steady according to your promise,
   and never let iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from human oppression,
   that I may keep your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant,
   and teach me your statutes.
My eyes shed streams of tears
   because your law is not kept.

I watched a documentary on Harriet Tubman* yesterday evening. It was particularly useful although I did not learn anything new. I saw a live reenactment of her life a few years ago that also told her story well. What this documentary brought back to my memory was her unquestioned faith in God. I needed to hear that again. She said,

’Twant me, ’twas the Lord. I always told him, “I trust to you. I don’t know where to go or what to do, but I expect you to lead me,” and he always did.

And God did redeem her from human oppression, and through her, God redeemed many other slaves when she served as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.

Harriett Tubman has wise words for us today as we struggle to deal with injustice:

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

The reshaping of our world toward greater justice, indeed righteousness, begins with each of us as we strive to live justly and then to go forth and do justice together under the Lord’s leadership. For whenever we gather in God’s presence, the synergy of the Spirit carries us forward toward the full realization of God’s Kingdom.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for role models like Harriet Tubman, who modeled her life after you. Guide us, too, to follow your ways as we strive toward righteousness and justice. Amen.

*See on Amazon Prime Videos

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.