Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

Read

Psalm 85 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.

Lord, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you pardoned all their sin.Selah

You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.

Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us.

Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?

Will you not revive us again,
so that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.[a]

Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.

The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before him,
and will make a path for his steps.

Reflect

When I was a little boy, getting in trouble just came naturally for me. I kept my mom busy. She had to constantly watch over me because, if she didn’t, I would definitely find some trouble. I remember one particular time (I was probably six or seven years old) we were at a department store. I was playing around in the jewelry department while my mom shopped nearby. A sales clerk came to me and scolded me for playing with the merchandise. My mom, overhearing the discourse, rushed over and asked what the problem was. The clerk explained to my mother what I was doing. My mother replied, “I understand, and he knows better. But he is mine, so I will take care of it.” When I reflect on such moments, I am reminded that no matter what I did or how I acted, I was (and still am) my mother’s child, and she would not have it any other way.

When I think of my mother and father’s love for their children, I am touched with the feeling of God’s love for God’s children. As humans, we often fail at being obedient to God. We are stubborn, defiant, foolish, rude to each other, and we seldom listen for God’s voice. But, the truth is, we are God’s children. When we are disobedient, we know better. We make our own mistakes and we often pay for them. But even while making mistakes, we are God’s children and God loves us dearly, despite our poor decisions. Yes, we belong to God. We are intricately and beautifully created by God and God would not have it any other way.

Pray

Beloved God, we are yours. There is nothing more that we could ever ask for. Simply being yours and experiencing your love is far greater than any earthly gift. Let us rejoice! Let us celebrate that we are your creation. Thank you, God, for your love and blessings. In the name of Christ, we lift our prayer, AMEN

Go with God!