Living God, fall afresh on the life and needs of this dear reader through the presence of Your Spirit; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Psalm 85: LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. 2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. 8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak : for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth are met together ; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. (King James Version)
The earth sometimes reflects the drama of what happens when something positive is missing from it. In our case here in Texas, the drought has left very visible signs of the absence of water. Last evening, it was one of the major stories on a major network newscast. The images were startling as were the predictions of how long it would last. Broken chunks of dirt, dried and thirsty for water, the scorched brown earth, even a Christmas tree farm that did not open for business because of the lack of water. Can you imagine what our spirits must look like when we've chosen to apart ourselves from God? Just like people who complain (or used to!) when rain would come and "ruin" a picnic or outdoors event, some people complain about the presence of God in having to attend worship or to make decisions they know are right and correct, but lament not being able to "enjoy themselves." The presence of rain is like a wonderful kiss from God on God's earth. Imagine as the Psalmist did, to say that "mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other;" (v. 10) is this not the connection between our spirits and God?
God still knows how to give what is good and needed for not the earth but for us. Do we still know to seek God in a way that is pleasing and uplifting? Do we seek and receive and live righteousness when we have chosen to be apart from it?
PRAYER: Loving God, quench the parchness of my soul. Kiss my spirit with life-giving refreshment. May my soul and mind be in tune with You, so that I may be a part of those who truly are preparing the way for the arrival of the Messiah again. In Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
