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 85 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.

Lord, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you pardoned all their sin.Selah

You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.

Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us.

Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?

Will you not revive us again,
so that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.[a]

Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.

The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before him,
and will make a path for his steps.

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Reflect

Why Is God Good?

This is the big question that many people struggle with. We look at the chaos and problems of this world and assume that God is like an absentee parent that doesn’t care how the kids are doing. This couldn’t be further from the truth! God’s identity is rooted in God being able to be the ultimate expression of good, to create good things and to show that goodness to those God has created.
God’s default setting is not “vengeance on my enemies” but it is “I desire to bless those who lovingly follow me and listen to me faithfully.” I don’t think God wants creation to be bombarded with pain, suffering, disease, sin, death, poverty, brokenness, disappointment or fear. I believe that we, through our own actions, bring those things upon ourselves, then we go about and blame God for them. We need to begin to have faith that God is good and has blessed and favorable plans for not just us but the world as a whole.

How can we deny God being good to those of us who lovingly and honestly serve in friendship, holiness, humility, love and obedience, despite our outward and inward failings.

 

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Pray

Precious God, too often we get caught up in the things of this world. We see bad things happen to good people and it causes us to question if you even exist. May we always remember your goodness and your greatness.

Go with God!