Focus

Take time to rest in the comfort of the Lord today.

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Read

Psalm 27 (NRSV)

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.

One thing I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.

Now my head is lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, do I seek.
Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
If my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will take me up.

Teach me your way, O LORD,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they are breathing out violence.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!

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Reflect

The unknown…not knowing…is often the hardest part of life. A little over a year ago, my husband’s job was eliminated. He had worked for that company for almost 11 years and was devastated when it happened. We knew that finding a new job might take a little time. We also did not expect him to start a new job at the same salary.

We prayed, and we asked our church, our families, and our friends to pray for our family and his job situation. Our faith was tested in ways we had never imagined. Even though we hated what we were going through, our faith and relationship grew as we waited. It took more than a year for my husband to get and accept a job offer.

Praying doesn’t always mean getting what you want when you want it. Sometimes praying means that whatever is going to happen will happen in God’s time. Faith is part of the process, even if you ask why or why not along the way. Remember to keep the faith even when you are not sure what tomorrow will bring.

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Pray

Lord, help me to understand that life is not always about what I want when I want it. Help me to understand that waiting is part of life. It helps our faith to grow. Thank you for our many blessings, even when times are tough. Amen.

Go with God.