Slices
Prepare
‘God, thank you that no matter how many times I fall, you set me back on my feet and continue walking with me.’
Bible passage
Of David. A psalm.
1 I will sing of your love and justice;
to you, Lord, I will sing praise.
2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life –
when will you come to me?
I will conduct the affairs of my house
with a blameless heart.
3 I will not look with approval
on anything that is vile.
I hate what faithless people do;
I will have no part in it.
4 The perverse of heart shall be far from me;
I will have nothing to do with what is evil.
5 Whoever slanders their neighbour in secret,
I will put to silence;
whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart,
I will not tolerate.
6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
that they may dwell with me;
the one whose way of life is blameless
will minister to me.
7 No one who practises deceit
will dwell in my house;
no one who speaks falsely
will stand in my presence.
8 Every morning I will put to silence
all the wicked in the land;
I will cut off every evildoer
from the city of the Lord.
Explore
Have you ever embarked on a new faith venture full of aspirations – not only for what you’ll do during it, but also who you’ll be in it? How did it turn out?
In this psalm, we are likely listening to David in the early days of his reign, still longing for the ark of God (representing his very presence) to be returned to Jerusalem (v 2, see 2 Samuel 6). He is painting a picture of the kind of king he wants to be, both in his private life and his public duties. What are the qualities he espouses as the hallmarks of godly leadership (vs 2–5)? David longs that the place and people God calls his own should reflect the divine character of love and justice (v 1). How are your longings to see God revealed evident in your life today?
As we reflect on the integrity of life required in leadership and on David’s heartfelt passion for the purity of God’s people, we acknowledge that neither David nor any of his successors were able to live up to these standards. His aspirations invite us to look beyond his failures to the one who fulfilled them all and who holds all our own intentions and failings in his perfect love and justice.
Respond
Look ahead with hope – not in yourself but in Jesus’ ability to perfect his purposes in you. Praise God for his work in you.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Song of Songs 1,2; Psalms 97,98
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray that the Young Entrepreneurship Programme run by SU Africa Community Groups in Nigeria, from 7–11 September, will inspire young people with purpose, bold faith and vision.
Because a strong start begins with smart preparation
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