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 66:8-20 (NRSV)

Bless our God, O peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard,
who has kept us among the living,
and has not let our feet slip.
For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us as silver is tried.
You brought us into the net;
you laid burdens on our backs;
you let people ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a spacious place.

I will come into your house with burnt offerings;
I will pay you my vows,
those that my lips uttered
and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.
I will offer to you burnt offerings of fatlings,
with the smoke of thve sacrifice of rams;
I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah

Come and hear, all you who fear God,
and I will tell what he has done for me.
I cried aloud to him,
and he was extolled with my tongue.
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.
But truly God has listened;
he has given heed to the words of my prayer.

Blessed be God,
because he has not rejected my prayer
or removed his steadfast love from me.

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Reflect

How many times have we wondered why God allows us to go through a particular experience of or situation? We are usually quick to grumble and complain. Then we may start to question God’s goodness, mercy, and love. Although such thoughts are human nature, they are selfish.

God allows us to be tested through difficulties in relationships, issues with our jobs, illness, financial struggles, and other things that we would prefer to avoid. God is not punishing us when these times come, but helping us to grow in our faith.

When do you find yourself closest to God—during good times or when you are struggling? When is your prayer life the strongest? When do you look to find Jesus in all situations and seek his purpose for the events unfolding in your life? Our flawed ways of thinking are often revealed to us during seasons of testing.

The last part of this scripture assures us that God hears our prayers during these difficult times. God is using these times to mold us into the followers God wants us to be. God is developing our characteristics to further God’s kingdom and teaching us to hold tight to scripture while clinging to the love of our Lord.

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Pray

God of heaven and earth, we pray that you will allow us to see our times of hardships as blessings and learning opportunities from you. We know you will bring us through these situations, developing our testimonies so that we can then shout from the rooftops for your glory. Help us to change our mindsets to seek positivity amidst our struggles and be certain you hear our prayers. Thank you for allowing us to be tested so that we may grow in you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Go with God.