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 119:65-72 (NRSV)

You have dealt well with your servant,
O LORD, according to your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
Before I was humbled I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
The arrogant smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts.
Their hearts are fat and gross,
but I delight in your law.
It is good for me that I was humbled,
so that I might learn your statutes.
The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

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Reflect

“Nothing gets the taste of shame and humiliation out of your mouth like Bebopareebop Rhubarb Pie and Rhubarb Pie filling.” So goes the fake ad on the long running radio show A Prairie Home Companion.

I have never had a piece of rhubarb pie, but I’ve certainly had need of one. The taste of shame and humiliation has been in my mouth more often than I care to admit.

I once wrote an email while in a mood of resentment and anger. I had not meant to send the email, but in my foul mood I unintentionally hit the send button. Several people let me know that they were hurt and offended. One person even called and told me so. I could have used a whole pie.

The psalmist tells us that humility, being brought low, can be a good thing. It can teach us to use better judgement and to learn God’s rules for behavior and not to think too highly of ourselves.

Being humiliated, especially if it is of our own doing, has a way of opening us up to a better understanding of God’s statutes and gives us a clarity that is more valuable than silver and gold.

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Pray

Lord, teach us humility that we may humble ourselves before you that we may keep your precepts with our whole hearts. Amen.

Go with God.