Psalm 34:15-22 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 34:15-22 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
Verse 16The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
Verse 17When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
Verse 18The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
Verse 19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all.
Verse 20He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken.
Verse 21Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
Verse 22The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Devotion
How often do you say the words "thank you?" Whom are you usually thanking throughout the day? Do you say it or write it enough to those deserving of your appreciation?
Teaching my kids that their manners should be automatic requires constant effort. They are usually pretty good, but they need reminders. I remember my father when I was growing up even regularly telling people "Thanks for saying Thanks." Are we as quick to say thanks to God? Are we, like the psalmist, able to have our praise for the Lord be continually in our mouths?
Maybe we think we don't know how to thank God. But it's not as hard as you might think. Start by saying the words "Thanks be to God." When you pray you might even use the model of thanksgiving seen in the words of Psalm 34 and lift up the moments of praise from your day. Then you might find that even in your worst of days God is still shining through you.
Prayer
Thank you God for this day and for teaching us how to praise you in all of our days. Bless us to be radiant in you and give happiness to all who seek refuge in you. Amen.