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 27:7-14 (NRSV)

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

When I was growing up, I wanted to play sports. My dad had been good at sports when he was in high school, and I wanted to be just like him. I tried to practice, but it was hard to do so alone. I would throw the baseball against our brick house and it would come back to me, but it wasn’t the same as throwing with someone. When my dad got home, he would come outside and give me pointers on how to hold the ball, how to swing a bat, and other important things to do to improve my baseball skills. Having someone to help me made all the difference.

We often go through difficult times. Health problems, financial struggles, and relational issues can all take a toll on us. Sometimes we just want to throw up our hands and say, “Why Me?” In my opinion, David had reached that point in this psalm. He was struggling with a feeling of abandonment. But by the end of the psalm, he realized that if he would just wait, God would make him stronger and help him to face the world again.

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Pray

Loving Creator, thank you for helping to make me stronger. Help me to practice patience and wait for your will in my life. I know you will not abandon me. Give me opportunities to be a witness to others. In the name of our Savior. Amen.

Serve God by serving others.