Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Psalm 34:15-22 (NRSV)

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their cry.
The face of the LORD is against evildoers,
to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD rescues them from them all.
He keeps all their bones;
not one of them will be broken.
Evil brings death to the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

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Reflect

At times when we don’t know where to turn, it is often the psalms that can encourage. What a beautiful reminder this psalm gives us: we are not hidden from God; we have only to cry out for help when we need it. God is near when we are most brokenhearted or feel crushed in spirit.

God does not promise that the righteous will be free from afflictions, but we can take refuge in God from all afflictions. Afflictions—suffering, illness, difficulties, burdens, problems, hardships, pain, trouble, miseries, misfortunes, weaknesses, infirmities, complaints—whatever our afflictions, we can take refuge in God, who will provide a refuge of peace beyond our understanding.

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Pray

Today, Lord, I bring my afflictions before you and focus not on them, but on you and your power and goodness. I am so thankful that you are in control, especially when I cannot see beyond the afflictions. Amen.

Go with God.