Psalm 16 (NRSV)
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Verse 1Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
Verse 2I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
Verse 3As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.
Verse 4Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.
Verse 5The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
Verse 6The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.
Verse 7I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
Verse 8I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Verse 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.
Verse 10For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.
Verse 11You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Devotion
Over the years, friends and family have given me crosses as presents, and each cross has ended up hanging above my sofa on the living room wall. I often stand and stare at my wall of crosses. I look at each cross and remember the love I have for the person who gave it to me.
Each cross is also a reminder of the love I have for God. I have taken refuge in God more times than I can remember. Each time I have felt inadequate or unworthy, God has lifted me up and sent angels to guide me. Each cross represents an angel sent into my life to support and encourage me. I talk with God every day and know the crosses are on my wall as a reminder to stop and listen to what God has to say to me.
Prayer
Lord, in our busy lives, help us to take time to pray, but also to stop and listen to the counsel and words of love and wisdom you have written in our hearts. Amen.