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 37:1-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Do not fret because of the wicked;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,

for they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.

Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.

He will make your vindication shine like the light,
and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
over those who carry out evil devices.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.

For the wicked shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.

But the meek shall inherit the land,
and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

The wicked plot against the righteous,
and gnash their teeth at them;

but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that their day is coming.

The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to kill those who walk uprightly;

their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.

Better is a little that the righteous person has
than the abundance of many wicked.

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.

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Reflect

Patience. That thing we seem to have very little of these days. We live in an “instant” society. We have everything at our fingertips. We pull up to a fast-food restaurant drive-through and get our food within minutes, but get mad if we don’t. We can make a phone call anytime and most anywhere, but get upset if we don’t have a signal. We don’t have to wait to see the 5 o’clock or 6 o’clock news in the evening or read the newspaper to find out what is going on in our community, country, and world. We can get it on our computers or cell phones within seconds. Then there is social media, where we know everything about everybody at any moment. We get upset if any or all of these do not happen instantly. We get upset at posts or texts because feelings are misunderstood and mistaken or views are different. Do we really need this? Have we forgotten in this fast-paced world how to stop and be still?

Our scripture today speaks to us about using patience and trust in our walk with the Lord. Like it says in verse 3, if we commit our ways to the Lord and trust in him, he will act. Do we want to know God’s plans for us instantly? We need to stop, be still and wait. It can be hard. I admit that I am not as patient as I used to be. I do get upset. I do get frustrated. Sometimes, it may look like those who are only “Sunday morning Christians” or those who do not believe win. But I have to remember, God is just. Slow down. Take a deep breath. Be patient. Trust God. Follow God!

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Pray

Dear God, thank you for being there for us. Thank you for being just. In this hectic and instant world we live in, help us to slow down and be patient. Patient, not only in our walk with you, but with those we come in contact with on a daily basis. And, help us to trust you and your ways for us. Amen.

Go with God!