Sunday, February 1, 2026

Due to inclement weather conditions, worship services are canceled for this Sunday, February 1. A message from Rev. Teresa Reed follows.

Dear Providence Church family,

Micah 6:1-8    Matthew 5:1-12

Our New Testament reading for this week is the beginning portion of the Sermon on the Mount which we know as the Beatitudes. The Old Testament reading is one of the most familiar passages of scripture – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” These familiar verses help us to understand what it means to live in a way that is pleasing to God.

Micah prophesies to the people of Jerusalem and Samaria who were facing an Assyrian invasion. The prophet addresses his speeches to the ruling elite who were corrupt and complacent.

Hear this, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of Israel, who despise justice and distort all that is right; who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness. Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they look for the Lord’s support and say, “Is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us.” (Micah 3:9-11)

God recounts a litany of events in their history when God provided and preserved Israel.

I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam. My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.” (6:4-5)

Remembering God’s action in the past bolsters our confidence in God’s promises for the future.

The people’s response shows they are focused on a transactional relationship with God: With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? In other words, what can we do to earn God’s favor? The prophet reminds the people that God has already provided that guidance. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly. These are not additional commandments, but rather a summary of them. Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment and he answered:

 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Jesus began his public ministry by preaching “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17)

The kingdom that Jesus is referring to is already here and will come in its complete form when Jesus returns. The Beatitudes seem to be referring to this time for which we hope, but they are also referring to blessings for the present. We can begin to experience these blessings from God today.

Recently a group of Buddhist monks traveled through our community on their Walk for Peace. They left Fort Worth TX in October and plan to walk 2300 miles and arrive in Washington DC in a couple of weeks. They are being welcomed and shown hospitality by crowds of people in every town they walk through. With so many reports of violence and the threat of violence in the news, it is encouraging to see so many of our neighbors supporting an effort to promote peace.

What is peace? What would it be like to live in peace? Is it possible to have peace now?

The Hebrew term which we translate as peace is shalom and the Greek term is eirene. These terms imply reconciliation. Peace is more than simply the opposite of war.

Scripture mentions “peace” quite a lot. Gideon built an altar and called it Yahweh Shalom, meaning the Lord is Peace. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace; he said, “My peace I leave with you.” A common Hebrew greeting is “Peace be with you;” we use this greeting in our worship. The lectionary texts for this Sunday give us a picture of what it means to be at peace.

Peace comes from God. It represents the fullness of the blessings of salvation.

Blessed are you…blessed are we that we have heard the promises of God and have been given the gift of faith. Let’s share these blessings with our community. Changing the world seems to be an unobtainable task, but we can make a huge impact by doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.

Let’s pray for peace, justice, and mercy for all people. I pray you are safe and warm through this winter storm.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

Teresa Reed, MDiv

Pastor

Providence Presbyterian Church

1112 Hummingbird Dr

West Columbia SC 29169