With Justice and Kindness

Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. – (Proverbs 21:21, NIV)

People who try hard to do good and be faithful will find life, goodness, and honor. – (Proverbs 21:21, ERV)

Whoever pursues justice and treats others with kindness discovers true life marked by integrity and respect. – (Proverbs 21:21, VOICE)

 

Good begets good, and you reap what you sow. This particular verse in Proverbs reminds us of the importance of doing what is right. The challenge is that the reward of goodness, honor and respect are not always evident when we pursue the path marked by a righteousness and love that is ever seeking to do good and be faithful in all things. We live in a broken world, surrounded by people who are hurting. Often, even when goodness, faithfulness and kindness are extended, hurting people hurt the people that they need the most. We need to love anyway. It does not mean that we need to be a doormat or allow things that should not be so to continue, but it does mean that our charge is to keep pursuing justice and treat others with kindness, each day that we draw breath. May we ever be a people who pursue righteousness and do good, so that all may come to know the goodness and love that God freely gives.

 

Justice and mercy,

Are love’s true pursuit;

Extending kindness,

Godly attribute.

For as we love well,

We make God’s grace known;

The same is returned,

This is how good’s grown.

God will empower,

Our hearts to choose love;

As to Him we turn,

And trust God above.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we pursue justice and kindness, You faithfully honor our seeking. Thank You that even when we cannot see or understand the impact of choosing to extend good to others, You use it for Your glory. Forgive us for our frustration with those who are hurting and behave poorly toward us or others. Please grant us wisdom and insight as to how to navigate best in love. Show us how to love all those around us well, especially those in need of kindness. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pursue to live justly and extend kindness, everywhere we go. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers His righteousness on you. – Hosea 10:12

We Find What We Pursue

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness and honor. – (Proverbs 21:21, NLT)

Whoever pursues justice and treats others with kindness discovers true life marked by integrity and respect. – (Proverbs 21:21, VOICE)

Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind finds life itself – glorious life! – (Proverbs 21:21, MSG)

 

Whatever we seek, we will find. If we seek the things of God – righteousness, justice, kindness and unfailing love, that is what we will find in Him. Our lives are evidenced by that which we invest our hearts and our time. As we follow after our Heavenly Father and the things of Him, His attributes are made evident through us by His Spirit in us. Those who seek to live justly and strive to treat others with kindness, earn the respect of those around them and make the Lord’s love known. May we ever pursue what is right and kind, and live well the life that God intended for us to live.

 

Whatever we seek,

We also shall find;

For God is faithful,

So loving and kind.

As we seek live right,

God’s faithful to hear;

He grants us His love,

As we choose draw near.

Most glorious life,

Of love and respect;

Is ours to pursue,

As the Lord directs.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You and that which You call us to, You meet us with Your unfailing love and see us as righteous before You. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace that gives us the opportunity to seek and find life in You. Forgive us for not pursuing justice or treating others with the kindness You intended. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would pursue a life of righteousness and unfailing love that ever honors You. Show us how to love others with kindness and grace, so that they may see and understand Your righteousness and desire a life in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, Lord. Be glorified O God, as we pursue righteousness and unfailing love, extending the very things given to us, to those around us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Listen… be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. – Proverbs 23:19