The Long View
Opening Prayer
Here I am, Lord. I want to be totally available to You. Help me to give You my full attention.
Read Psalm 14:1-7
[1]For the director of music. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. [2] The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. [3] All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. [4] Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the LORD. [5] But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. [6] You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge. [7] Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What and who does the Lord see from heaven?This is a very apt psalm to read as we have recently made our way through the darker passages of Genesis. The citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah were indeed corrupt: their deeds were vile and there were not even ten righteous people to be found who would have stayed God’s judgment. But for the sake of Abraham, Lot was saved, and he and his family found refuge. As the Lord looks down on the human race in the 21st century, what does he see? There is certainly plenty of evil and corruption going on. Fools still say in their hearts (and in their best-selling books) “there is no God” (1). The poor are still exploited and mistreated. But we who seek God can rejoice and be glad (7), because salvation has come out of Zion! Jesus Christ came, died, rose again and restored his people to peace with their Creator. Where his people are, there is his presence, overwhelming evil with good. The great story is still being written, but we are further on in the narrative than when David wrote this song, and we have every reason to celebrate victory, even as the battle continues to rage around us.
Apply
Claim the truth that God is present with you. Rejoice in that and rejoice that you have nothing to fear from evildoers.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I praise You that You are Lord of all and are the true, reliable source of my safety and help.
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