God’s Saving Word: Justice and Peace
Introduction
Psalm 14: Today’s reading describes human wickedness but affirms that God is with those who humbly obey him. The psalm concludes with a prayer for victory and prosperity.
Scripture Reading
Human Wickedness
14 Fools say to themselves,
“There is no God!”
They are all corrupt,
and they have done terrible things;
there is no one who does what is right.
2 The Lord looks down from heaven at us humans
to see if there are any who are wise,
any who worship him.
3 But they have all gone wrong;
they are all equally bad.
Not one of them does what is right,
not a single one.
4 “Don’t they know?” asks the Lord.
“Are all these evildoers ignorant?
They live by robbing my people,
and they never pray to me.”
5 But then they will be terrified,
for God is with those who obey him.
6 Evildoers frustrate the plans of the humble,
but the Lord is their protection.
7 How I pray that victory
will come to Israel from Zion.
How happy the people of Israel will be
when the Lord makes them prosperous again!
Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 14:5b
God is with those who obey him.
Reflect
According to this psalm, fools are those who lack trust in God and love for others. What does the psalm writer say about fools? How are evildoers described? What does today’s reading teach you about God?
Pray
Lord God, I trust in the protection and safety of your love, and I seek to obey you. May all I do and say this day be pleasing your sight. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 17: The prayer of an innocent person.