Wednesday 30 January, 2019

A psalm of David. 1 I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. 2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. 3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies. 5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers. 6 Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs, and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken. 7 They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.” 8 But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death. 9 Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me. 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.

So many good bits in this Psalm…

This Psalm of David is where he is calling to His God, His Lord. David says ‘his upraised arms” are an offering to the Lord. Have you ever considered that your upraised arms in worship, prayer and praise are an offering to the Lord? If you struggle to lift your arms…. consider this as an offering to the Lord when are you next in worship, praise and prayer.

It is so easy for us to have an opinion these days, particularly on social media.  Consider the thousands of daily posts, articles, videos, photos. Let’s be careful of what we say and how we say it. Whenever I post I consider if people know I am a Christian what can I say that brings Life, Love and the message of Hope (Jesus) to the world. How can I witness and glorify the name of Jesus using social media? Not my opinion, or the opinion of others – but what is God’s opinion. “God’s opinion is worth fighting for.”

The third thing in reflection is ‘let the godly strike me’.  I am so grateful when hard as it is; someone has the courage to say something to me as a rebuke. My husband, my children, my friends….. thank you.  It is a kindness to me… a soothing medicine. How wonderful to have people in our lives who have the courage to reprove us.  They are worthy friends indeed.

Lord thank you that I have arms that can be lifted to you. Lord thank you, may I always be careful and controlled in how I speak.  May the fear of God be on my mouth. Lord thank you for those around me who reprove me.  What a blessing they are to me.  Help me to take heed and become more like Jesus.

Written by Ps. Sue Botta