Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him. ”
NL Daily Devotion for Monday, September 26, 2022
by Daniel D. Maurer, Clergy Stuff
A prominent theme in many psalms springs forth for readers when they are aware of it: evildoers will do evil, but they will receive their comeuppance through God’s mighty hand. God passed down a great wisdom for us through the Psalms, because, when we’re honest, we will realize that evil and evil plots will always be around. What’s more is that, in our personal lives, there will always be people who don’t like us, and even a few who actively wish to harm us.
The psalmist recommended one response consistently in nearly every psalm. It goes something like this: let God worry about the evildoers; follow God’s ways as closely as you can and take refuge only in God. This advice stands on a firm foundation for all human beings. It starts with the knowledge that trying to control and fight evil constantly in our lives will be as destructive for us as the evil itself.
Of course, I’m not suggesting that we passively stand by while evil reigns. Justice matters. And some will have the gift of fighting for what’s right more than others. However, God allows us to recognize the need to control outcomes can be equally destructive for us as the evil we wish to fight.
Refuge Bringer: grant me the peace today to simply be. Amen.
