Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

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Read

Psalm 103:1-8 (NRSV)

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits—
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The LORD works vindication
and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

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Reflect

Some days I wonder, really wonder, how God has the patience to continue to deal with us. We live in a world that is filled with emotions and actions that are opposite to the ones God had planned for us. God offered a lifetime of good, but humankind chose evil. God gave the choice of living forever in a land of milk and plenty, but humans chose to be deceived and lose that privilege. Yet, God doesn’t even have to decide to forgive us for the daily choices we make to be mean, to hate, to be greedy…the Great I Am just continues to love us and forgive us.

The psalmist gives us so much proof that we cannot do anything to earn God’s love and forgiveness. God just continues to have the patience, love, and mercy that is needed to move us to a place of worthiness every day. Our God is an awesome God!

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Pray

Lord, how wonderful it would be if your people did not try your patience on a daily basis. Please continue to bestow your unending mercy so that we may live forever in your presence. Amen.

Go with God.