Justify: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                       Justify

                       

                        We may not use a gavel

                        or even words to

                        disapprove

                        sighs, scowls,

                        rigid posture shout

                        our disapproval.

                        Speeds like gossip

                        gathers bitterness

                        until a mountain

                        of charges form.

                        Forget not ours to

                        judge or condemn

                        ourselves or others

                        God alone justifies

                        from cross of sin to

                        redeem.

Reflection: Charge: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

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Reflection Questions

1.     Do we as a “people” tend to regard each other as a delight, or instead silently bring charges against one another?

2.     How do you regard or interpret God’s elect?

3.     When do we need to bring charges?

4.     And then in what manner do we bring them?

Share: In what way do you think God justifies us when we turn to Him?

Charge: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

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Reading: Romans 8:33

“Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.”

How often do we cringe when someone else is chastised?

Or quietly be relieved that we are not the recipient? Maybe sometimes too smugly?

Too often our reaction is to immediately assume guilt when in fact we don’t know the whole story. Too often. 

Even in our worship communities. Where we believe the Lord has forgiven us our sins. And is creating within us a new life—new beginnings—new perspective.

Yet we almost instinctively cast judgement on ourselves, and others, when complaints or concerns arise. Blame first. Then maybe forgiveness of a surface posture that doesn’t quite quiet the doubts.

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging, one another, envying one another.”  Galatians 5: 25-26

When we walk in faith we can trust that the Lord will discern the errors we make in a way that reveals truth and hope and true justification. He will complete the work He began in each of us—when we are willing to dig below the surface and ask for His discernment to reveal our sins and accept His methods of accountability. His way.

Thank you Lord, for protecting us from false charges when they arise, and from despair when we do fail. Please keep our hearts clean. To redeem.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:32

“And now, my children, listen to me: happy are those who keep my ways.”