Shine a Light
Opening Prayer
God, show me how to share Your light in the midst of a hurting world.
Read Psalm 112
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
1 Praise the Lord.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.
2 Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
7 They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn will be lifted high in honor.
10 The wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Do you want people to be able to speak this psalm about your life? How do you get there?Consider the state of the world and God’s action to bring healing and restoration. And what about us and our role? We are remembered—and God is remembered—when we are agents of his action in the world. God invites us to partner with him in bringing about his justice and extending his mercy to those in need. Caring for others with self-sacrificing love is central to
what it means to be the people of God. And this is one way to be a people who “fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands” (1).
God’s people are remembered because they have been open-hearted in their dealings with others. They are described as rich, but they live generously, sharing all that they have with those who have little or nothing.
God’s people bring honor or shame to his name through their conduct in this world. If we are hoarding our blessings, we shame him. When we give sacrificially, without expectation of return, we honor him. May God give us the grace to honor his name, as we serve a world in need of his unfailing love and generous care.
Apply
With whom can you share God’s grace, mercy and righteousness today? Remember that it is all for his glory.
Closing prayer
Lord, give me a steady heart that will not be moved by fear. Make me a light in the darkness. Delight in me today.
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