READING: Psalms 131, 133, 138-141, 143
The background and context of Psalm 141 are not clear, but it appears the psalmist was under threat from insincere and evil enemies. Whatever the situation was, the psalmist wanted to make sure he followed God no matter what he faced. His urgent prayer, then, was a prayer all of us ought to pray (even daily, in my judgment). He asked the Lord to help him live faithfully with his words, his heart/will, and his actions, especially when it would have been so tempting to respond to his enemies in an ungodly way. In essence, the psalmist prayed what Jesus later taught His followers to pray about temptation: “And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt 6:13).
The psalmist had no interest in following the ways of his enemies regardless of the power of their lures. Moreover, he prayed the Lord would make him willing and open to hear the honest, loving rebuke of other righteous people who might speak into his life. Should he need face-to-face confrontation to keep him on the narrow path, he wanted to be ready to listen while also praying against the evil schemes of the enemy. At all times, though, he kept his eyes on the Lord (Psa 141:8).
We who face temptation today have much to learn from the psalmist—and much to pray about. Pray today that your words, your heart, and your actions would be godly as you gather with God’s people.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do your words honor the Lord? Your heart? Your actions?
TODAY’S PRAYER: “Lord, I call on you; hurry to help me. Listen to my voice when I call on you.” (Psa 141:1)
TOMORROW’S READING: Psalms 144-145, 88-89