PSALM 85:10-13

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.

TO PONDER

Just a couple of days ago I set out to do our weekly grocery shop. While I knew there was going to be some shortages of fresh produce, I was surprised to see so many empty sections of the fresh grocery section in our local supermarket - not a single green leafy vegetable in sight. Interesting to read a scripture like this which says, 'the land will yield its harvest' when quite clearly so much of the harvest has been wiped out by floods this year.

Although I suspect that the psalmist is talking more about a spiritual harvest here. Probably with something like the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) in mind. When we are overcome by God's love for us and respond by seeking to serve him faithfully; when we are robed in Christ's righteousness and our minds are set on his mission of peace and reconciliation with his people, then the conditions are perfect for us to see God working in and through us in powerful and miraculous ways.

God is with you and wants to lead you. Living in Christ's righteousness is the one sure way to be prepared to follow wherever God leads.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, you are the creator and sustainer of all things. You cause the sun to shine, the rain to fall, and the plants to grow. You lead us by your Holy Spirit into faith and give us, through the Son, eternal life and salvation. May all those gifts bear good fruit in my life to your glory. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.