Focus

Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything, but God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.

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Read

Psalm 16 (NRSV)

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

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Reflect

David was the leader God had chosen for God’s people, but that doesn’t mean he was perfect. In fact, David had many faults. But David knew that God’s plan for his life would overcome any bad decisions he made.

We are in a similar situation. We may have had to endure pain and troubles that we thought would knock us down permanently. But when we make God the top priority in our lives, God gives us blessings and grace beyond measure. There will always be people, situations, or circumstances that will attempt to bring us down. We have to be just like David and say, “I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.”

Regardless of how difficult the circumstances we face may be, we must remember that our almighty God has a purpose that far exceeds anything this world can ever throw at us. Our relationship with God is what allows us the benefit of God’s grace, even though we don’t deserve it. Our relationship with God keeps us joyful in the midst of sorrow and gives us peace in our pain and suffering. There is nothing more precious than having an intimate relationship with God.

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Pray

Precious God, in our pain, you comfort us. In our sorrow, you lift us up. In our shame, you forgive us. We lift you up with all honor and glory, because you are the one, true, living God. Amen.

Go with God.