12-1-2021

 Good Morning All!

       Amos 5:24; “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream”

    One day at the end of supper, mom brought out a fresh apple pie. There were five in the family so everyone should get a nice piece. The oldest son offered to cut the pie and serve it. So, he sliced the pie and gave himself the largest piece and his siblings hardly any. When they protested, he answered, “well mom should have made a bigger pie.”

    Isn’t that the way the story goes? Mom should have made a bigger pie. This was the answer that the young man gave for his greed and selfishness. This is what the Israelites were doing when the prophets warned them about God’s coming judgement. They were not faithful in the worship of God, and this was made evident in their mistreatment of those who could not defend themselves, the poor, the widows, the orphans, and the aliens. The Israelites were all about “getting ahead” and if that meant shady business practices, well so be it. If that meant out right theft, well figure out a way to justify it and then do not worry about it. These actions, and others like them, were the outward signs of an inward problem. They lacked true faith.

    Today, we hear many of the same comments. A disaster occurs and we cry out, “where is God, why isn’t he fixing it?”  He has; He has given us the wherewithal to solve our problems. There is enough food, there is enough shelter, we have the ability to provide for the basic needs of people, but we need to divide the pie equally.  The Bible calls this justice. Justice is more than punishing the wrong; it is providing opportunity to all, a fair piece of the pie. As a people, God wants us to be His hands, His stewards, in the creation. We are to care for each other, not exploit or abuse each other. We need to repent of our sin and return to God while we still can.

    This is part of the Advent season focus. It is a prayerful, penitential time to reflect on God’s blessings for us. We look to our eternal salvation and how our walk with God is to be one of humble service. We are to remember what the coming of Jesus truly means. Seek God while He may be found and return to being the people which, He has redeemed us to be. Not selfish or self-centered, but loving, caring people through whom the light of salvation shines. We are the physical means through which God works in his creation. The love that God displays, the comfort which God delivers, the voice of hope that is heard in the Gospel is to be seen by our neighbor in our hands, our hearts, our arms, and our voice.

    So, this Advent season, return to the Lord and seek the forgiveness which He freely gives you. Walk according to His ways and do as the prophet tells us. Seek mercy, do justice, and walk humbly before your God.

Father, in You we see the salvation of the world. You sent your son in the form of a baby to bring about hope and to renew our walk in your ways. As we wait for the return of Jesus, guide us by your Spirit to walk according to your will. Move us to love justice and mercy and to bring the hope of the Gospel to those we meet. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret