Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

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Read

Psalm 64 (NRSV)

Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;
preserve my life from the dread enemy.
Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
from the scheming of evildoers,
who whet their tongues like swords,
who aim bitter words like arrows,
shooting from ambush at the blameless;
they shoot suddenly and without fear.
They hold fast to their evil purpose;
they talk of laying snares secretly,
thinking, “Who can see us?
Who can search out our crimes?
We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot.”
For the human heart and mind are deep.

But God will shoot his arrow at them;
they will be wounded suddenly.
Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake with horror.
Then everyone will fear;
they will tell what God has brought about,
and ponder what he has done.

Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD
and take refuge in him.
Let all the upright in heart glory.

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Reflect

This psalm deals with a time in the psalmist’s life when the world seems to have been caving in around him. Apparently, many folks were spreading vicious rumors about him, some even suggesting physical harm. Whatever was taking place, the psalmist could not understand why such things were happening to him.

If you have spent any time in the faith, you have probably had similar feelings or experiences. You might have asked, “What is going here? What have I done to deserve this? I have tried to live a good life. I have been faithful”….and so forth.

Yet, with all that was happening to the writer, he ended the psalm by praising God. This praise resulted from the writer’s understanding that no matter what came at him, God was with him and would protect him from unknown harm. Just as God was with the psalmist, God is also with us.

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Pray

What a wonderful and peaceful feeling to know that no matter what circumstances may come my way, you are with me. Thank you for being my constant companion. Amen.

Go with God.