Today is July 16.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.    
 
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 142.  
 

      I cry aloud to the LORD;  
         I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.  
      I pour out before him my complaint;  
         before him I tell my trouble.  
       When my spirit grows faint within me,  
         it is you who watch over my way.  
         In the path where I walk  
         people have hidden a snare for me.  
      Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;  
         no one is concerned for me.  
         I have no refuge;  
         no one cares for my life.  
       I cry to you, LORD;  
         I say, “You are my refuge,  
         my portion in the land of the living.”  
       Listen to my cry,  
         for I am in desperate need;  
         rescue me from those who pursue me,  
         for they are too strong for me.  
      Set me free from my prison,  
         that I may praise your name.  
         Then the righteous will gather about me  
         because of your goodness to me. 
 

I love the psalmists poetry. These words speak to my heart today as I read them: when my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. Would you take some quiet time now to reflect on the state of YOUR spirit? How are you feeling? As my daughter used to ask a friend of hers when they were little: how’s your soul?  
   
Listen again to these words and pay attention to one or two that stand out to you. You might consider writing a few things down and carrying them around today.  
   
… because of your goodness to me. The nearness of God is my only good. His goodness and mercy are never ending. He is not only holy, He is forgiving. He is not only just, He is kind. He is not only powerful, He is gentle. Please, Lord, make us more like you…

Music: My Soul Finds Rest - Vineyard Columbus - (YouTube)