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 5 (NRSV)

Give ear to my words, O LORD;
give heed to my sighing.
Listen to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch.

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil will not sojourn with you.
The boastful will not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
You destroy those who speak lies;
the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful.

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house,
I will bow down toward your holy temple
in awe of you.
Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.

For there is no truth in their mouths;
their hearts are destruction;
their throats are open graves;
they flatter with their tongues.
Make them bear their guilt, O God;
let them fall by their own counsels;
because of their many transgressions cast them out,
for they have rebelled against you.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
so that those who love your name may exult in you.
For you bless the righteous, O LORD;
you cover them with favor as with a shield.

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Reflect

My heart is broken. In light of recent events, I wonder if we should repeat this psalm every morning as part of our daily devotional routine. I don’t know about you, but I feel like crying out to God for good and righteous things to happen. Where is God when innocent lives are lost, when war rages around the world and in our communities, when safety and security seem to be a lost ideal? We cry out, “Why?” and sometimes the answer seems to be lost in the deafening sound of violence, guns, and shouts of hate.

But wait—
“For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil will not sojourn with you.”

God hears every cry, and I believe that God’s heart breaks with every senseless loss. As my heart breaks, suddenly I am reminded of the good and righteous people and events that occur every day—every minute!—to prove that God’s presence is a constant.

We do have a reason to sing for joy in spite of the hurt and pain that we don’t understand and the unrighteousness that surrounds us. God protects us, covers us with love, and offers us hope.

“But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house,
I will bow down toward your holy temple
in awe of you” Thanks be to God!”

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Pray

I cry out to you, O God. My hope is built on your promises and your life-giving hope. Help me to see the good and righteousness that surrounds me. Let me remember to sing for joy in the light of your goodness. Amen.

Go with God.