Image from gracewaymedia.com
God, you smiled on your good earth! You brought good times back to Jacob! You lifted the cloud of guilt from your people, you put their sins far out of sight. I can't wait to hear what he'll say. God's about to pronounce his people well, The holy people he loves so much, so they'll never again live like fools. See how close his salvation is to those who fear him? Our country is home base for Glory! Love and Truth meet in the street, Right Living and Whole Living embrace and kiss! Truth sprouts green from the ground, Right Living pours down from the skies! Oh yes! God gives Goodness and Beauty; our land responds with Bounty and Blessing. Right Living strides out before him, and clears a path for his passage. (Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 The Message)
My brother has a friend who was an attorney for a short while. He studied at the YMCA in a certain city, passed the bar, and in walks a couple who want a divorce. They're friendly with each other and it appears there will be no messy divorce. They simply said their relationship had come to an end and they wanted to stay friends. He drew up the paperwork and when it was time walked them to the judge's courtroom. The matter was a simple rubber-stamp and the three walked back to his office. The couple sat in the chairs staring at him and the lawyer wondered what he should do. He then leaned over his desk and said, "I now pronounce you divorced." The couple nodded in agreement, stood up and walked out. The lawyer told my brother, "It was the only thing I could think of to get them out of my office."
"God's about to pronounce us well." What an interesting verse. The Psalmist is writing about a coming event (Sounds like Advent to me!) and it involves God's smile on the earth; good times returning to God's people - the cloud of guilt and shame that has hung over the people of God will be lifted, and the psalmist can't wait to hear what God's got to say! And then this verse, where God will pronounce you and me, all our loved ones, even people that annoy and bother us, well. To hear a doctor say that cancer is in remission, or that an illness that has plagued us for so long is gone, or to finally feel free from pain that came unexpected, and leaves in the same way; well! This pronouncement comes from the God who loves us, and who is leading us away from foolishness to wisdom. We will be people of Love and Truth, and out in the streets no less! We will be people known for Right Living, and Whole Living, both at the same time! We will be surrounded by a loving truth, and a steady rain of righteousness. God's gift to us will be Goodness and Beauty and the land will produce Bounty and Blessing. All because we are making right God's passage among us. That is Advent's Good News! Receive it!
PRAYER: Loving Father, for Your love, we thank You. For the promise of this pronouncement that came from Jesus' lips we are blessed! Let us be a blessing to others in all ways; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Stay warm and warm others with your smile and good deeds!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Request: Dear friend, please pray for me as I prepare to preach at all services this Sunday at FUMC-Gonzales. It's a new series on Advent, and Sunday's message will be BEHOLD: ZACHARIAH UN-MUTED. And, if you need a church home or in the area of Gonzales on Sunday, we invite you to come and worship with us.
