Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read Proverbs 21:3, 15.
I love the Proverbs for their practical wisdom about living and being the people of God. The two verses on which we focus today remind us of a common message of the prophets of the Old Testament: God expects his people to practice justice and righteousness. We simply cannot be the people of God if we are not living with integrity and character and doing right by people. Whether God is judging an individual, a church or a whole nation, one key factor of assessment is whether we are focusing on our relationship with God and treating all people fairly.
John Wesley used the language of “works of piety and works of mercy,” seeing all of them as the “means of grace,” ways of experiencing God’s grace. Individual works of piety include our devotional life of Scripture reading and prayer, as well as fasting. Corporate works of piety include our times of worship and study together. Likewise, we are encouraged to practice individual works of mercy by various acts of meeting the needs of others, including visiting the sick and those in prison. Communal acts of mercy would include working to eliminate discrimination or any other form of injustice.
Here is how Eugene Peterson translates verse 15 of our reading today in The Message: “Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors mean far more to God than religious performance.” Amen? Amen!
Personal Worship Option:
Offer this prayer or one in your own words: Holy and Gracious God, continue to guide me in the way of justice and righteousness. May I always be about deepening my relationship with you, meeting the needs of others and helping them come to know and follow you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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