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 140 (NRSV)

Deliver me, O LORD, from evildoers;
protect me from those who are violent,
who plan evil things in their minds
and stir up wars continually.
They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s,
and under their lips is the venom of vipers. Selah

Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
protect me from the violent
who have planned my downfall.
The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
and with cords they have spread a net,
along the road they have set snares for me. Selah

I say to the LORD, “You are my God;
give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications.”
O LORD, my Lord, my strong deliverer,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;
do not further their evil plot. Selah

Those who surround me lift up their heads;
let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
Let burning coals fall on them!
Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise!
Do not let the slanderer be established in the land;
let evil speedily hunt down the violent!

I know that the LORD maintains the cause of the needy,
and executes justice for the poor.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall live in your presence.

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Reflect

How often do we get caught up in what others think about us? David was very concerned with what people were saying about him, and he asked God for help. He appears to have been so desperate that he actually wanted the bad things happening to him to be given to someone else.

I have heard people say, “You are Christian. You live a good life. Bad things never happen to you.” Or, “You are never given more than you can handle.” Even though parts of these statements are true in some ways, there is so much more to our faith.

God did not promise that our lives would be easy. But, just as David did, we can ask God to protect us from the evils of the world. We can ask that the negative around us not influence us or affect our behavior. We do not have to fall into the darkness and gloom around us.

It is okay for us to cry out to God, “I am at the end of my rope. Protect me from the ugliness around me. Please keep me safe and give me strength.” Then, just as David believed, we also need to believe that God will provide for us.

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Pray

Gracious God, all too often I feel overwhelmed. Help me to cry out to you, asking for your guidance. Help me to rely on you with the full knowledge that you will provide for me. Keep me positive and help me to avoid the negative. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Go with God.