Psalm 112 (NRSV)
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Verse 1Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments.
Verse 2Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Verse 3Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.
Verse 4They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
Verse 5It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.
Verse 6For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.
Verse 7They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
Verse 8Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
Verse 9They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.
Verse 10The wicked see it and are angry; they gnash their teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked comes to nothing.
Devotion
Each year that cars park in our yard for the State Fair, we learn more about seeking order amid chaos. We measure out spots in our yard, spray-painting lines with turf paint. We remove the railing to our front steps and put out reflector rods. My dad built a ramp so drivers don't need to bump over the curb. We put out garbage bins and use motion-detector lights. We have the non-emergency number for the police on our phones just in case — and we have used it. We have done these things selfishly, so State Fair goes smoothly for us. But we also notice that they help those who park with us.
These efforts remind us that God's law is a gift to preserve life. Knowing our limits, our place, is a delight because it benefits each side of our relationships. And when we fall short of God's command to love, we find assurance in the gift of God's Son and the forgiveness made known through his cross.
Prayer
Commanding God, your law guides us to love and serve our neighbor. When we fall short of that command, create new hearts within us. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.