Psalm 112:1-5
“They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.” vs. 4
The community of faith has long recognized that their manner of life is an important witness to the world. Even in the days of the psalmist, hundreds of years before Jesus, there was an understanding that faithful godly living would have an impact, that the life of the God-fearer would be like light in the midst of darkness. According to the psalmist, those living in such a way would be gracious, merciful, and righteous. Those descriptors remain suitable in our day for followers of Jesus, and are a marked contrast to the life-styles that dominate the popular culture. The remarkable thing is that we don’t have to try to be this way…this is the way we are! This is what the Spirit makes of us as we serve and love in the name of Jesus. We will be gracious…we will be merciful…we will be righteous. And we will have an impact on the world for good! How does the Spirit manage to get this done? Well, it usually doesn’t happen all at once. Most often it’s a process that occurs as we remain connected to Jesus through worship and prayer. Through that connection we are changed and transformed in ways we never dreamed possible. We won’t know it ourselves but others will see it and be amazed at the gracious, merciful person that begins to daily emerge. It’s all grace! It’s all the Spirit of God!
Thought for the Day: How has the Spirit transformed me?
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