Serving God with Peace and Humility

These scriptures explore the kind of world God is interested in building and the kind of holy people who will inhabit it. The grand scope of the natural world as well as the inner workings of human hearts are evoked to suggest divine mastery over these spheres. The prophet points to the day when God’s servant will bring justice to all people. In the psalm, God’s voice resounds on the earth with might and power. In Acts, Peter witnesses to the fulfillment of the promise in Isaiah. The Gospel tells of the arrival of the Spirit, confirmed by the heavenly voice of affirmation. Faithful people will cultivate humility and peace. In the scriptures for the week, we can notice a theme of following God’s call in our lives despite human hierarchies or fear. The power of God’s voice guides our work to recognize belovedness in ourselves and others, especially during difficult times.

Read Isaiah 42:1-9. When has God helped you to act in ways that build peace and goodwill? In situations when you have not lived up to those values, what has helped you return to that center?
Read Matthew 3:13-17. What does it mean to you to be beloved by God? Recall times in your faith walk when you have felt close to the love of God and times when you have felt far from it.
Read Psalm 29 several times. Where have you seen God’s glory and majesty in creation?
Read Acts 10:34-43. How do you narrate the story of your faith? What about Peter’s rendering stands out to you?