Today Barbara is in the hospital where they are trying to resolve her intestinal bleeding (probably from her pain meds) and constant vomiting. Prayers appreciated.
Psalm 37:30 “The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.”
[Lord, this certainly does not describe the “natural me.” Help me to move ever more in this direction, spotting and turning away from the ungodly advice I tend to give myself, abandoning my tendency to gossip, and refusing to sit in the seat of the scornful, not looking down on and criticizing others (Psalm 1:1) but instead thinking on what is true and good and pure and lovely.
Help me to be like Job who properly and positively rebuked those who gave him ungodly advice (I need to rebuke myself, too, when I am thinking ungodly thoughts). Help me to know how to talk to myself as well as to destructive people in a way that will be edifying, speaking wisdom, uttering what is just. May you be glorified in it.]
Psalm 37:31 “The law of his God is in his heart;’
[Here is the key: when your Word is hidden in the heart of a righteous man, constantly bringing insight and rebuke to him, influencing his thoughts, motives, words and actions, then he can speak with Heavenly wisdom. Praise be to you, Lord Jesus, for your great and wonderful work to bring such change in us through Scripture. Help me to cooperate with you in the process by consistently memorizing and meditating on your Word.
Thank you, Lord, for what you give us in your Word: your gracious wisdom, your careful instruction, your good direction. Help me to meditate on them, walk in them, to be alert to the wisdom you offer each moment rather than relying on my own thoughts and desires. Bring to mind the Scripture, the truth, the principles I need to heed.]
“his feet do not slip.”
[When we walk in your path, Lord, our feet will not slide, our ankles will not turn, we will not fall, for you open the way, bring the change necessary, protect us from our natural, sinful pitfalls.
I praise you, Lord, for the great and sweet privilege of walking on your way, of belonging to you, of being given such wonderful gifts. I praise you, Lord God, for the greatest gift of all: being your beloved son, dearly loved, deeply cared for, doted on and delighted in—the opposite of what I deserve.
This is the outpouring of what you are, Lord God: the great Creator, the great Lover of our souls, the great Forgiver, the great Transformer. Praise be to you for all you will do today out of your goodness and righteousness, wisdom and power. May I join you in obedience so that your Name may be lifted up before all the unseen hosts today.
