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 16 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

A Miktam of David.

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.

I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.

For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

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Reflect

The last time I visited my 97-year-old grandmother, I took her out for a fancy lunch in St. Louis. At her neighborhood White Castle, we dined on tiny greasy chicken sandwiches and sodas. We split an order French fries served in a cardboard cup. I’m totally in the lead for Granddaughter of the Year Award. But what I remember more than the fried food is walking my grandmother from the passenger side of my car to the door of the restaurant. I held out my right arm, and she used it as a guide to steady herself as we slowly walked through the inclined parking lot.

Our psalm today speaks of the refuge and goodness of God. I love reading of the imagery of God at our “right hand.” Historically, the right hand was the dominant hand (sorry, lefties!), and in fact, it’s still the hand we use for greetings and agreement-making in Western culture. It makes sense that God would be found there — on the side we depend on and use regularly. Our security then is not found in our own strength or presumed dominance, but in God’s strength. That’s the kind of strength that can’t be moved or shaken, and it’s the kind of strength that yields God’s good gifts. It’s the kind of strength that also quietly supports us as we walk on unsteady ground and during turbulent times.

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Pray

God of our strength, we praise your everlasting provision and your safety. We thank you for your good gifts, your steady hand, and for your abundant love. Continue to make your ways known to us so that we may experience joy in your presence. Amen.

Go with God!