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.

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.

Reflect

This psalm was probably written during a time of troubles since David is asking God to preserve him. David admits that he is nothing apart from God. Is God a part of our daily lives or do we only think of God in times of trouble and/or Sunday mornings? Do we listen for the counsel of God, as opposed to trying to work our problems on our own and God being the last resort?

Daily prayer and time spent with God helps us to develop a trust in God. Daily prayers assist us in seeing God in ways we do not ordinarily see God. One way I witness God is through the unity of nature. Everything in nature works together when we honor the earth God has created. Our lives work better when we follow the concepts we have been taught in the Bible. We can agree with David in verse 4 that “Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows.”

There is a joy in following the ways of God. We will have problems yet we will lessen our problems by not indulging in sin. Sin always brings complications into our lives. We are often punished by our sins.

Let’s be like David and find joy in our God!

Pray

God, please forgive me for all those times I forget why you have given us boundaries. Please prevent me from going beyond the boundaries of your commandments. God, I long to trust you completely. Please give me the gift of faith. Amen.

Go with God!