Today’s scripture: Psalm 119:65-88 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
I have a friend who is easily influenced. This person is drawn to live a close relationship with God since mid-teens, and strives to live consistently with the Christian faith. This person shared with me a story that happened when younger.
This person was hanging around various types of people that had a big influence on things that this person would say, actions taken, and how closely God’s voice was able to penetrate within. One day, this person was found with no money, no place to stay, and no friends to count on.
As I read Psalm 119, verses 65-72 reminded me of this story. We can sometimes be so easily influenced by the people around us. These influences can be good, but they can also bring us down like they did with my friend. What happens when we are around people who always criticize and pass judgment, and who never have anything good or positive to say? What about people who use bad language constantly, or who talk about ways to live unhealthily, or talk about people behind their back? What impact does this have on our lives, and on how we live and how we talk and interact with people?
Like my friend, verse 71 is so important: “It is good that I am humbled.” No matter what is going on around us, being humbled, a characteristic of Jesus, a characteristic of being a disciple, can bring us back to hearing and listening to God’s voice in our lives. “[God’s] hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments . . .” (Verse 72).
Jesus says the most important commandment is to love God with all that we are, and to love others as ourself. Jesus also shows us and teaches us compassion, mercy, forgiveness, caring for the oppressed, caring for those in need (monetary and healing), and doing justice for those who have no voice. What would that mean form me to really learn these teachings of Jesus and let that be the thing that penetrates and influences me?
Prayer for the day: God, when I seem to be influenced to wander away, help me to return to you. May I humble myself to the point that I can remain in your peace and can allow myself to live in your commandments more fully. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.