Living rightly

David is confronted with the story of a man who takes the poor mans only and beloved ewe. See “King George and The Ducky” for the powerful flannel graph version of Nathan’s story. The king is rightly hart broken and enraged at the actions of the man.

“O king, you are the man!”

David responds immediately with repentance.

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”

Coincidentally, David’s story is contrasted by Paul’s hopes for the Ephesians. The Message Remix puts it,

“In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel.”

I love how Paul wants us to live rightly in light of God’s power and goodness. It is especially sweetly stated in the Message:

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!

Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!

Glory down all the generations!

Glory through all Millennia! Oh, yes!”

And here is what we live in light of! The glory of God! Permeated with Oneness! Oh, Paul, thank you for your pastor’s heart. Thank you for your good word of exhortation! God bring the fruit and make manifest in our churches what you have already made a reality.