You showed favor to your land, O LORD; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger. Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints— but let them not return to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.
Here’s the secret to solving all your problems. When your faithfulness springs forth from the Earth, God’s righteousness looks down from Heaven. The Lord gives what is good and your efforts are blessed. Do you see that there’s only one variable here, and it’s you? So give yourself a quick check up. Does your faithfulness spring forth from the Earth? If not, that’s the first place to focus your efforts.
Our pastor had us all laughing Sunday morning when he asked how our employers would like it if we only showed up for work for an hour or so one day every other week. And yet, he said, that’s the kind of inconsistency we show the Lord. He wasn’t just talking about attending services, either. Some of the most faithful church attendees I know don’t give the Lord a thought during the week. In a paraphrase of Philippians 1:22 the pastor had Paul saying, “As long as I’m alive on Earth, I’ll be working for the Lord.” Can any of us say that?
Blessings,
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