God’s Guiding Word: Hope
Introduction
Psalm 16: Today’s psalm expresses total confidence in God. Steady awareness of God’s presence fills the writer with joy.
Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 16:5
You, LORD, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands.
Reading
16 Protect me, O God; I trust in you for safety.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
all the good things I have come from you.”
3 How excellent are the LORD’s faithful people!
My greatest pleasure is to be with them.
4 Those who rush to other gods
bring many troubles on themselves.
I will not take part in their sacrifices;
I will not worship their gods.
5 You, LORD, are all I have,
and you give me all I need;
my future is in your hands.
6 How wonderful are your gifts to me;
how good they are!
7 I praise the LORD, because he guides me,
and in the night my conscience warns me.
8 I am always aware of the LORD’s presence;
he is near, and nothing can shake me.
9 And so I am thankful and glad,
and I feel completely secure,
10 because you protect me from the power of death.
I have served you faithfully,
and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead.
11 You will show me the path that leads to life;
your presence fills me with joy
and brings me pleasure forever.
Reflect
How does the psalm writer express confidence in God? What is the role of God’s guidance in the writer’s thoughts? In verse 8, the writer says, “I am always aware of the LORD’s presence.” When or how do you experience God’s presence?
Pray
I praise you, O Lord, because you guide me. You are always near. You show me the path that leads to life, and your presence fills me with joy. Amen.
And now, join us in praying that audio Bibles continue to transform the lives of the Huastec people in Central Mexico. Lord God, thanks to the generous support of Bible-A-Month Partners, the Huastec people in a remote mountain village in Central Mexico are learning about the love of Jesus. Hearing the Gospel message, dear God, in their heart language by means of the audio Bible is bringing peace to their hearts as they find forgiveness for their sins and come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 34: In praise of God’s goodness.