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 31:9-16 (NRSV)

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief,
my soul and body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,
and my bones waste away.
I am the scorn of all my adversaries,
a horror to my neighbors,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
For I hear the whispering of many—
terror all around!—
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.

But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.

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Reflect

I’m sure that most of us have had confrontations with family members, or people with whom we work. Such issues can cause problems, or even depression, if the situation is ongoing. Sometimes, when people cause us grief, we may not know how to deal with them. In today’s scripture, David was worn out by his enemies and the people who had slandered him. David knew that God would deliver him from his enemies, so David cried out for mercy.

I worked with someone from another organization who was very difficult. I didn’t even want to take her phone calls. I knew that God was my only hope for peace between us. One day before a meeting, I prayed that God would release God’s sweet presence into the meeting and help me to see the individual through God’s eyes. People commented about how well the meeting went. I knew it was because of prayer. Over a period of time, I came to appreciate this person and she has become one of my best friends. Only God could have done that. Do you have difficult people in your life today? If so, ask God to help you in your situation.

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Pray

Dear God, thank you for loving us enough to help us fight our battles. When we don’t know what to do, we can call on your wisdom and strength. We are so thankful that we can call on you any time, and you are always there for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Go with God.