“Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth.” Psalm 34:12-16
On every Monday morning, I open the online Lectionary and read the appointed scripture readings for the coming Sunday. I don’t know how many of you do that too, but it helps me prepare for the message on Sunday and also gives me some ideas for messages during that week. The above reading is the appointed Psalm for next Sunday and it has a general theme that sure does fit well with what is taking place in our country, in Haiti and also in our fallen world; ‘turn from evil’.
Satan is the author of all lies in our world. He daily baits us with all forms of deceiving lies, talk, video, food and pushes our buttons that draw us away from the truth; he knows our weaknesses. I don’t know your weakness and you probably don’t know ALL of mine…but the devil does. Take a look at these 6th grade Haitian girls and tell me if you can imagine what their weakness might be? I have seen them and can tell you from all outward appearances their temptation buttons are labeled ‘boys’ and ‘gossip’. Turn from evil. Put satan behind you and Jesus in front of you.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay