Monday 06 March 2017

Psalm: Psalm 119:1-16

Background

Imagine a multi-cultural city, set on a narrow corridor of land,where traders travelled through from south to north and east towest. It has a reputation for drunkenness, vice and prostitution.This was the wealthy, thriving capital city known as Corinth. Itwas a city that Paul knew well and where he had been able toestablish a Christian church, having spent many months with thepeople there. But he had been away for some time and had been toldthat problems had developed in the community, so this letter wassent to try to sort things out.

As in all his letters, Paul begins with greetings andthanksgiving for the lives and devotion of the people he loves. 'Ithank my God for you' is one of his favourite phrases. And he goeson to thank God for the gifts that those people have been given,urging them to keep on using them whatever happens. He reminds themthat their gifts have been given by God to be used for the benefitof all people. Only by doing that will they be able to show thetrue spirit of Jesus.

Paul's tone at this point is that of a wise parent who knowsthat all is not well with the children's behaviour. Yet he wants toencourage first and sort out the problems later. And if he can dothat … how much more?

Parents can forgive and forget the mistakes their childrenmake;
the heartache they often cause;
the irresponsible behaviour, the outbursts of temper,
the willfulness and waywardness that youngsters can exhibit.
For love is there and understanding,
if not always patience and tolerance.
But there is knowledge of the pains of growing,
a remembrance of the trials of youth
and a bond of affection that holds the ties
that must one day be loosened into maturity.

If we, as human parents, have such care and compassion
that we will tolerate lapses in behaviour and seeminglyunforgivable situations,
then how much more will God, our parent, show grace and mercy tous,
especially when we, like children,
come to say how sorry we are for what we have done.

To Ponder

• Who would you trust, or love enough, to allow them to tell youwhat they observe about the way you behave? And how would you reactif they did?

• What is the special gift that God has given you (we all have atleast one) and how do you use it?