Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Psalm 119:137-144 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

You are righteous, O Lord,
and your judgments are right.

You have appointed your decrees in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.

My zeal consumes me
because my foes forget your words.

Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.

I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
and your law is the truth.

Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
but your commandments are my delight.

Your decrees are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.

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Reflect

A young man has followed the crowd and now he must face his mother’s most direct question, “Son, if every else jumped off the cliff, would you?” He looked down at the ground as she finished the question, because he knew the answer, because he understood his situation better than she did. He understood the pressure that those around him placed upon him to conform and to fit in. He understood what would happen if he said no. He knew the rules of the game. He had no alternative. He understood, and so he raised his head and said, “Yes.” The psalmist knew another path, a path that our young people need to be taught. It is hard living in this world, when there is no other way to turn, when there is no other path. It is hard to not follow the crowd when you don’t know any other way to go. Let us hope that in time God can use us to teach and to be an example, so that someday our young people will also delight in the righteous commands of God. So that someday our children can honestly raise their head and answer “No.”

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Pray

Almighty God, help us to see the righteous and good path. Help us to see your way and will amid the cries that say, “No there is a better path.” Help us God to have the strength to trust you and to follow you. Give us understanding that we might live. Amen.

Go with God!