Focus

Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.

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Read

Psalm 56 (NRSV)

Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me;
all day long foes oppress me;
my enemies trample on me all day long,
for many fight against me.
O Most High, when I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I am not afraid;
what can flesh do to me?

All day long they seek to injure my cause;
all their thoughts are against me for evil.
They stir up strife, they lurk,
they watch my steps.
As they hoped to have my life,
so repay them for their crime;
in wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your record?
Then my enemies will retreat
in the day when I call.
This I know, that God is for me.
In God, whose word I praise,
in the LORD, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I am not afraid.
What can a mere mortal do to me?

My vows to you I must perform, O God;
I will render thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered my soul from death,
and my feet from falling,
so that I may walk before God
in the light of life.

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Reflect

God is forgiving and merciful, so why does God allow enemies to close in on us?

The world that the Lord created is filled with great goodness and powerful love. In the same world exists great evil and powerful hate. The Lord does not let us cower in fear of these evil forces. God’s power is evidenced in more ways than the gentle persona of forgiveness and mercy. God is a God of protection and strength, and God’s strength is ours. The crashing of waves against the shore is our strength. The wind billowing the tall pine trees is our strength. The majesty of a towering mountain is our strength. If the Lord created the beings that embody the evil, God will bring us to victory over them.

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Pray

Dear Lord, thank you for being a God of strength. Our enemies may scare us and make us cower in fear, but you assure us of your unfailing devotion to us. Help us to find shelter in your promises and enact the courage that you give us through whatever trials or evil we may face. Amen.

Go with God.