Psalm 34:9-14 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 34:9-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.
Verse 10The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Verse 11Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Verse 12Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?
Verse 13Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
Verse 14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Devotion
In South Pacific, Lieutenant Cable sings the song, “You’ve got to be carefully taught.” The Psalms do carefully teach us. My mother loved the Psalms and encouraged me to read and reflect on them as a way to find peace when I was feeling stressed or discouraged. Today’s Psalm specifically calls us to reflect on the wisdom and blessing of doing the right thing. The psalmist calls us to seek God’s wisdom in word and deed, teaching us how to live so that we may see many good days. And how does this happen? By encouraging us to overcome lies with truth, evil with good, violence with a peaceful response. We are reminded we truly do not lack for any good thing from the Lord. When I look at my life, I hear my father’s voice quoting Psalm 16:5: “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places”—and I know it’s true.
Prayer
Gracious and loving God, in our daily life help us to seek your wisdom to live out our lives faithfully, trusting in your mercy and grace. In Christ, Amen.
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