From Psalm 80 this morning:
"Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!"
But there was another reading in this early part of this day also. From the Gospel reading given in Luke 3:
"during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
John the Baptist has appeared on the scene in first century Palestine, preaching a message of repentance, making an impact on the people, and causing many folks to ask the question, "What can we do?"
John answers their question by giving some examples, and, surprisingly enough, these answers have to do with the personal uses of the resources that the people have under their own control. Listen:
"And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
Share, don't cheat, don't extort, and be content with what you have.
Before I bemoan the state of the country, and cry out for help like the psalmist, perhaps I might look inward and see the state of my own heart and actions.
The problems that face our country are many; politically, economically, militarily, morally and spiritually, but I need to be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.
Before I cry out to God and plead, "Lord help THEM to see", I need to see and do as HE says.
No comments:
Post a Comment