“For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.” (Psalm 71:5-6)

Yes, we are dependent. The man thinks himself strong and without need. The woman feels protected and has what she needs. Both are in denial that from birth, before birth, the Lord created us to be dependent upon Him, for we are. When we awaken to the fact we are His, we are comforted, for God is love and is always there to uphold, uplift and guard against the wickedness of this age.

Lord, in the wickedness of this age I turn against you, the very One who is my rock and shield. I was taught from my earliest years of You but turned my back. Bring me back into right relationship that I may learn again to trust, love, thank and praise You. Teach me again that upon You alone may I lean. Create in me a clean heart and renew in me a right spirit to live as I have always been meant to live.

Lord Jesus, You have come to reestablish our created relationship with You. Guide me by Your grace to be rebuilt into what I was made to be. Lead my heart to pursue those things which are right and fitting. Teach me how to praise in season and out of season. Guide me in becoming like You that I may overcome the obstacles of wickedness and become the righteous person I was created to be. Amen.

“Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; those who would destroy me are powerful, being wrongfully my enemies; what I did not steal, I then have to restore. O God, it is You who knows my folly, and my wrongs are not hidden from You.” (Psalm 69:4-5)

Isn’t it amazing how many people find reasons to hate? This is the bane of sin in our world, looking for reasons to hate. And then they mask it to make their hatred seem reasonable. God is love and those who are in the Lord learn to love. This is a clear marker to see whether one is in the Lord, but do so for your own sake and not as a judgement of the other. Do not hate, but love.

Lord, I have the infection of hatred which is loose in the world. Keep me from the folly of this world which has an excuse for everything. Guide me in Your never-changing principles so that I hold fast to the truth that You are love and You command me to love my neighbors as myself. Bring me over the hurdles that get in the way of fulfilling Your commandments that I would love as You love.

Lord Jesus, in love You came to lead all who believe to become like You. Move me away from my notions of what love is to see in You the hope of every generation. Guide me as Your disciple to learn and grow as You would have me learn and grow. Help me now and always to hold fast to Your teachings and not overreact to this world of sinners bent on hating and not loving. Amen.