God Speaks
Psalm 16 A psalm of David.
1 Keep me safe, O God,
for I have come to you for refuge.
2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you.”
3 The godly people in the land
are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them!
4 Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
or even speak the names of their gods.
5 Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
6 The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!
7 I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
11 You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.
Psalm 17 A prayer of David.
1 O Lord, hear my plea for justice.
Listen to my cry for help.
Pay attention to my prayer,
for it comes from honest lips.
2 Declare me innocent,
for you see those who do right.
3 You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.
You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong.
I am determined not to sin in what I say.
4 I have followed your commands,
which keep me from following cruel and evil people.
5 My steps have stayed on your path;
I have not wavered from following you.
6 I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
Bend down and listen as I pray.
7 Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.
By your mighty power you rescue
those who seek refuge from their enemies.
8 Guard me as you would guard your own eyes.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
9 Protect me from wicked people who attack me,
from murderous enemies who surround me.
10 They are without pity.
Listen to their boasting!
11 They track me down and surround me,
watching for the chance to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart—
like young lions hiding in ambush.
13 Arise, O Lord!
Stand against them, and bring them to their knees!
Rescue me from the wicked with your sword!
14 By the power of your hand, O Lord,
destroy those who look to this world for their reward.
But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones.
May their children have plenty,
leaving an inheritance for their descendants.
15 Because I am righteous, I will see you.
When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: These two psalms will be considered together. Psalm 16: We are assured that we can find true, ultimate safety, guidance, and protection only in the LORD. Godly people must be our role models. Nothing else should come between the Holy God and ourselves. He alone is and gives us our inheritance or is worthy of our loyal service. He will bless those who trust and obey Jesus with unshakeable faith, guidance, instruction, and protection. Even death cannot deprive us of joy-filled eternal life in the Father’s presence because of what Jesus endured on our behalf. Psalm 17: This psalm in particular should be viewed as Jesus’s prayer to His Father as He was amid procuring our right to pray this way. Our cry for justice is based on His honesty. God declares us innocent because of His sacrifice. The Father examined Jesus’s thoughts and scrutinized His life and found no sin or wrong. Following God’s laws kept Jesus from following cruel and wicked people. Jesus experienced God listening to and answering His prayers. Because of Him, we can too. Jesus sought refuge in God; therefore, the LORD God’s unfailing love rescued and protected Him. No matter how evil and ravaging our enemies are, they are no match for Jesus. With His powerful hand, God will destroy those who look to mere human beings (including themselves) for their rescue or reward. In contrast, God Himself will satisfy the needs and desires of those who look to Him for their righteousness and eternal future.
Prayer: Dear all-gracious and loving Father God, thank You that Jesus Christ is the only one who could and did pray and bring to fruition the thoughts, words, and actions depicted in these psalms. Lord, You continue to assure me that I can find true, ultimate safety, guidance, and protection only in You. Godly people must be my heroes and role models. Nothing else should come between me and You, Holy God, in my heart and life. Jesus, You, alone are and give me my inheritance. Only You are worthy of my loyal service. You promise to bless those who trust and obey You with Your unshakeable guidance, instruction, and protection. Even death cannot deprive me of joy-filled eternal life in the Father’s presence because of what You, Jesus, endured on my behalf. Thank You, Jesus for procuring my right to even approach Father God in prayer. My cry for justice is based on Your honesty. LORD God, You declare me innocent because of Jesus’s sacrifice. You examined Jesus’s thoughts and scrutinized His life and found no sin or wrong there. Following Your laws will keep me from following cruel and wicked people. I have experienced You listening to and answering my prayers. Jesus sought refuge in God; therefore, the LORD God’s unfailing love rescued and protected Him. I want the same to be said of me. No matter how evil and ravaging my enemies are, they are no match for Jesus. With Your powerful hand, LORD God, You will destroy those who look to mere human beings (including themselves) for their rescue or reward. In contrast, You Yourself will satisfy the needs and desires of those who look to You for their righteousness and eternal future. May that be the controlling desire of all Your people (including me). In Your glorious name, Jesus, I pray. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will thank Jesus for all He suffered on my behalf.
- I will make a list of ways God has guided, protected, and provided for me.
- I will discuss with someone who doesn’t know God how He can meet their deepest needs and desires.
- I will do something specific to show someone God’s unfailing love.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.