MON, AUG 5
Psalm 119:10–18 (ESV)10 With our whole heart we seek you; let us not wander from your commandments! 11 We have stored up your word in our hearts, that we might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach us your statutes! 13 With our lips we declare all the rules of your mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies we delight as much as in all riches. 15 We will meditate on your precepts and fix our eyes on your ways. 16 We will delight in your statutes; we will not forget your word. 17 Deal bountifully with your servants, that we may live and keep your word. 18 Open our eyes, that we may behold wondrous things out of your law.
Lectio Divina (Divine Reading):
1. Read (1st Reading) - just listen
2. Reflect (2nd Reading) - think about words/phrases that stand out to you
3. Respond (3rd Reading) - pray back to God where/what you think He is leading you to, or even Who He is wanting you to believe and trust that He is
4. Rest
Scripture Reading: Psalm 56 (English Standard Version)
To the choirmaster: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. 1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; 2 my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? 5 All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. 7 For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! 8 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? 9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. 10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12 I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Reflect
Scripture Reading: Psalm 56 (New Jerusalem Bible)
For the choirmaster Tune: ‘The oppression of distant princes’ Of David In a quiet voice When the Philistines seized him in Gath 1 Take pity on me, God, as they harry me, pressing their attacks home all day. 2 Those who harry me lie in wait for me all day, countless are those who attack me from the heights. 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you, 4 in God, whose word I praise, in God I put my trust and have no fear, what power has human strength over me? 5 All day long they carp at my words, their only thought is to harm me, 6 they gather together, lie in wait and spy on my movements, as though determined to take my life. 7 Because of this crime reject them, in your anger, God, strike down the nations. 8 You yourself have counted up my sorrows, collect my tears in your wineskin. 9 Then my enemies will turn back on the day when I call. This I know, that God is on my side. 10 In God whose word I praise, in Yahweh whose word I praise, 11 in God I put my trust and have no fear; what can mortal man do to me? 12 I am bound by the vows I have made, God, I will pay you the debt of thanks, 13 for you have saved my life from death to walk in the presence of God, in the light of the living.
Reflect
Scripture Reading: Psalm 56 (New Living Translation)
For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time the Philistines seized him in Gath. To be sung to the tune “Dove on Distant Oaks.” 1 O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long. 2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me. 3 But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. 4 I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? 5 They are always twisting what I say; they spend their days plotting to harm me. 6 They come together to spy on me— watching my every step, eager to kill me. 7 Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, bring them down. 8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. 9 My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side! 10 I praise God for what he has promised; Yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised. 11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? 12 I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help. 13 For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.
Respond
Portion of Prayer from Sheltering Mercy (Smith/Wilt)
"When Strength Fails"
Inspired by Psalm 56
Intercessory Prayer
Lord’s Prayer (Pray the words that Jesus taught us to pray)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen.