Wednesday 01 February 2023

Psalm 131

Background

James, writing to early Christian fellowships, offers us an image which is as familiar today as when his words were first penned. It's the image of the person who is part of the fellowship but seems to contribute nothing more than his presence. This is the image of the person who attends worship, listens to the word of God and the exposition of it and thinks that listening is enough. Such a person misses the point which James makes: faith is only living faith if it is actually lived out. We need to be 'doers of the word' and not merely hearers. The important thing is to turn that which we hear or read into action and deeds.

The one who lives out their faith in this way will not only have a growing awareness of God’s presence in their own lives but also see something of the work of God unfold around them as they live out the faith they read of in Scripture. So here’s our task for today: having read God’s word, we are challenged and inspired to live it out.

Listen
Thuma mina (Send me, Lord’)

To Ponder:

• Which word of Scripture has caused me to stop and think today and why?
• How can I be a more effective doer of the word without being overbearing?

Prayer

Lord, here I am, open to your presence and seeking your help to live out my faith in action. Help me to be a gentle but real witness to your love and grace today. Amen.