12/5/17
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.
As we continue in the Advent readings we plead for the Lord to come to his people. Psalm 85 speaks to the idea that the Lord has seemed to forget his people. But here the Psalmist dedicates himself to the Lord’s word again. In verse 8 we confess that we need to hear God’s voice. That declaration of peace the Lord can give will prevent his people from returning to foolish, sinful ways. This is the way of salvation, prepared by God. He works salvation for his people as they hear from him, as they join faithfulness and truth, righteousness and peace.
It is not uncommon for us to forget those alliances. We separate faithfulness from truth, treating them as different realms. Rather, we live in faithfulness as we know the truth. We separate righteousness and peace from one another. Sometimes we pursue righteousness with the loving hammer of our preconceived notions. Sometimes we pursue peace in a way that treats right and wrong as if they don’t matter. The Word of God sees the alliance as essential. Faithfulness and truth go together. Righteousness and peace go together. We don’t dare separate them. To do so will simply render all ineffective.
In all things, may the Lord go before his people, drawing them down the paths of righteousness and faithfulness, for the good of everyone in this world.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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.
As we continue in the Advent readings we plead for the Lord to come to his people. Psalm 85 speaks to the idea that the Lord has seemed to forget his people. But here the Psalmist dedicates himself to the Lord’s word again. In verse 8 we confess that we need to hear God’s voice. That declaration of peace the Lord can give will prevent his people from returning to foolish, sinful ways. This is the way of salvation, prepared by God. He works salvation for his people as they hear from him, as they join faithfulness and truth, righteousness and peace.
It is not uncommon for us to forget those alliances. We separate faithfulness from truth, treating them as different realms. Rather, we live in faithfulness as we know the truth. We separate righteousness and peace from one another. Sometimes we pursue righteousness with the loving hammer of our preconceived notions. Sometimes we pursue peace in a way that treats right and wrong as if they don’t matter. The Word of God sees the alliance as essential. Faithfulness and truth go together. Righteousness and peace go together. We don’t dare separate them. To do so will simply render all ineffective.
In all things, may the Lord go before his people, drawing them down the paths of righteousness and faithfulness, for the good of everyone in this world.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
RSS Feed