Devotion • August 14
Today's Scripture
Psalm 16
Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.
Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.
You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (NRSV)
Reflection
Reading this passage made me reflect on an unpleasant facet of Christianity — the polarization of Us vs. Them and the parceling out of God’s grace. Humans are prone to forging group identities by emphasizing the differences between one group and another. “We are more worthy, mainly and ultimately because we aren’t like them.”
But in this psalm, we are reminded that the “portion” that we get from God (i.e., our inheritance, if you picture how land can be portioned out among heirs) is all that we need and more. The heritage we get from God is enough to protect us and make us happy in this life and in the hereafter.
Because God holds my fate, I will bless the Lord and shall not be moved by earthly forces that try to make me forget what is in store for me. Any differences that some might scream about — anything that stops me from loving my neighbor as myself, and God above all — are meaningless.
My “portion” doesn’t come at the expense of someone else. Why should it? God created the universe and everything in it, and God loves those people in it. The well will not run dry.
My good fortune in God doesn’t diminish yours. As much as some Christians want to draw boundaries separating us all, this psalm reminds us that our share of God’s grace is boundless.
Prayer
I will sing your praises, God, as long as I draw breath. Thank you for your grace and the portion you’ve given me. Praising you and serving others is all I need. Amen.
Written by Jim Garner, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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