Psalm 16

Psalm 16 (NRSV)
1 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight.
4 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.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Lord,
I have cast my lot with you. If it is a wager, then I have bet my life that you are God and that you have revealed yourself in Jesus. I believe that your character is Jesus’ character and that you want all people to follow Jesus. There is an abundance of evidence that I could be wrong so by faith I choose to believe in you. Empower my faith.

The poet trusted you for counsel and instruction. In the same way that you spoke to him, through his heart, I trust that you live at the center of my heart and that if I listen to the center of my heart, I will hear you there. Help me to listen. Help me to hear. Above all, help me to know the difference between the yearnings of my mistaken self and the counsel of your voice.

Jesus promised the Paraclete, the counselor. Perhaps the poet knew him too. Holy Spirit of God, be my counselor and guide, my wisdom and strength.

Lord, we are in the political season. Forgive me for saying so, but it is embarrassing to see good, well-intentioned, intelligent politicians being less than they are. It is painful to see good people play the role of pandering supplicants. They must be better than they show. So, help us all to discern the good sense and the nonsense and to find those men and women who will best lead this nation to become a place of “liberty and justice for all.”

PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to speak through the center of your heart to you and ask for “ears to hear”. Pray for God’s gracious guidance.
Ask God for the spiritual courage that comes from knowing that God is at your right hand.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
10 For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11 You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
[1]

[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989