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 53 (NRSV)

To the leader: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.

Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they commit abominable acts;
there is no one who does good.
God looks down from heaven on humankind
to see if there are any who are wise,
who seek after God.
They have all fallen away, they are all alike perverse;
there is no one who does good,
no, not one.

Have they no knowledge, those evildoers,
who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and do not call upon God?
There they shall be in great terror,
in terror such as has not been.

For God will scatter the bones of the ungodly;
they will be put to shame, for God has rejected them.
O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

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Reflect

There is something humbling about this Psalm. So often we use this Psalm as a way to illustrate the ignorance of people who do not believe in God. I am sure that someone posted or will post this verse today on Facebook as a way of letting their little light shine, but I believe this post is an accusation to “all” for “no one does good, no not one.”
Many times, people use verses like this on social media to show themselves as shining beacons of light which people in darkness can follow, and to the extent, we are true light, that is commendable. If, however, you’re reading this today and you think this verse isn’t a warning to you to stand firm, then your light is a little dim and people will have trouble seeing God in the dark.

Remember Paul warning the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 6: 11 “And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
Your righteousness and understanding of God are because of God. Remember that, and pray for those who do not know God or deny God. For we used to be this same way, and but by the grace of God, we still would be.

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Pray

Merciful God, you have shown us mercy and love, help us to be people of mercy and love.

Go with God!