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 40:1-11 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.

He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.

Happy are those who make
the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after false gods.

You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
they would be more than can be counted.

Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.

Then I said, “Here I am;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me.

I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”

I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.

I have not hidden your saving help within my heart,
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.

Do not, O Lord, withhold
your mercy from me;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
keep me safe forever.

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Reflect

This Psalm reminds me, in poetic and figurative images, that no matter the circumstances, and regardless of my human frailty, God responds to my cries. He proves Himself continually that He recognizes my needs, and desperation for Him. I am continually reassured of the power that only comes from Him, and is distributed to me, as He sees fit. I find this to be of great comfort, in the midst of it all.

As I read this scripture, several times, I imagined my life being played back right before my eyes…every stumble, every fall, every bad decision, every good decision but at the wrong time, every person who harmed me verbally and physically, and every failure sprinkled throughout the victories….it was all so overwhelming. I thought how amazing a human being really is, having been created in the image of God, and having constant access to Him.

In the presence of the enemy of God, satan, and human enemies who have decided to collaborate with satan, God proves to them that no ‘pit nor miry clay’ will serve as my demise, and with each wicked attempt, God lifts me up, orders my steps, and cause my steps to be firm and focused. ‘I proclaim’ in so many ways, without shame nor hesitation, before all, that GOD is my God.

I wait patiently in all God-things, and with great anticipation for the ‘love and faithfulness’ of the Lord to ‘always protect me.’

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Pray

Father God, I acknowledge you as sovereign. You are my source and resource. I glorify you before all, and in the quiet of life. I am grateful for your love and tenderness, for your tending to my needs, and with your divine hand…that wipes away all my tears and fears. I lift those who don’t know you, that a Christian believer will witness your character and integrity, causing them to become hungry for you and seek you through our Savior and Lord, Jesus the Christ. It is in that name, that is still above all names, that I pray, Jesus the Christ, and I say amen.

Go with God!