Daily Reading: 28 January

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

Walking with God

Something to read

O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart… who stand by their oath even to their hurt; who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

- Psalm 15:1-2, 4-5.

Something to think about

What do you imagine to be the hallmarks of a person who walks closely with God? A quiet contemplative soul, who speaks seldom but with wisdom? A fiery preacher who can quote chapter and verse without notes? A charismatic worshipper with intense experience of the presence of the Holy Spirit?

Any of these people might indeed fit the bill, but it’s not their style of worship that marks them out as such. Instead, Psalm 15 tells us that those who are intimately close to God are marked out by the integrity of their words and actions.

A commitment to speaking the truth, practicing what we preach, and prioritising what is right over what is comfortable, doesn’t always look like religion. It is not always soothing for the listener! Rather, it’s the kind of behaviour that gets Christians told to ‘keep out of politics’, or arrested for their climate protests.

The way we each pray and worship varies hugely depending on our personalities, temperaments and theological traditions. But the impact of dwelling close to God will always be worked out through integrity and a commitment to justice.

Something to do

Watch the Christian Aid Collective ‘Here For You’ video. The appeal it points to is old now, but the method of truth-speaking can continue to challenge and inspire us.

Something to pray

God of truth, thank you that you place a high value on honesty and integrity, and call your people to do the same. Help me to be one of those who walks closely with you, and let it be evident in the way I speak and act today. Amen.

Today’s contributor is Rev Claire Jones