Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
In our reading from Psalm 112 this week we see the blessings of the Lord on the one who fears God and delights his commands. This is a person God will make mighty. This is good news.
In recent years Western culture has increasingly been driven by a concept of power politics. The mighty people need to be taken down. When Christianity is seen as a religion of power, it is equated with oppressive force. Therefore, our world often seeks to strip Christianity of its power and its claims.
It’s a really bad idea to try to take away the power and riches of genuine Christians, those who are fearing God and delighting in his commands. Why is that? Look at what the Psalm says the rich and powerful person will do in his delight of God’s commands. Hew ill show grace. He will show mercy. He will deal generously with others. He will lend. He will do justice in all his dealings. Even if the going gets rough, he is steadfast. When he is attacked he will persist. Why? Because he is in the business of caring for people who can’t care for themselves.
This is a great goal! It is also a great legacy. What if, instead of assaulting people who are rich and powerful, we urge them to the good works described in this Psalm? And what if we remind ourselves and the whole world that God the Son is the one who actually lived this correctly. He is the one who conquers all his enemies. he is the one who is just and gracious. He is the one who gives his life so that we can live. He is the one who will endure forever in his righteousness.
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