Today is August 16.


May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.   
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
  
Today’s reading is from Psalm 112.  
 

      Praise the LORD.   
         Blessed are those who fear the LORD,  
         who find great delight in his commands.  
       Their children will be mighty in the land;  
         the generation of the upright will be blessed.  
      Wealth and riches are in their houses,  
         and their righteousness endures forever.  
      Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,  
         for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.  
      Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,  
         who conduct their affairs with justice.  
       Surely the righteous will never be shaken;  
         they will be remembered forever.  
      They will have no fear of bad news;  
         their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.  
      Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;  
         in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.  
      They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,  
         their righteousness endures forever;  
         their horn will be lifted high in honor.  
 

As I pray for you, I am struck by this verse: they will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. As you take some quiet with the Lord today, are there places of fear, or of bad news that you might bring before Him? Take a few moments to talk to God about those things. 
  
Consider the word ‘steadfast’. It means to be ‘firmly fixed’. Now consider the condition of your own heart before the Lord. Before we read the scripture again, ask God to share with you some words or descriptions or realities about the state of your own heart…… Be honest with God. He is near to you whatever the condition of your heart….  
 
Now, take a deep breath…. And listen again to the words of the psalm: 
  
Even in darkness, light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous… Today, if you bring fear, or bad news, or darkness to this time of prayer, take a moment now and allow the light of God to break over your heart like a new dawn, for his light to flood you throughout the day.  
 
Music: "You Are God" - Vineyard Soul - (YouTube)