Psalm 57 (NIV 1984)
1Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
2I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills [his purpose] for me.
3He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; Selah God sends his love and his faithfulness.
4I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts- men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
6They spread a net for my feet- I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path- but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
7My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
8Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
9I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
10For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
Listen to this worship song "Be Merciful, O God, to Me" based on Psalm 57
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (NIV 2011)
23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 Reflection & Prayer
All of us should not be self-centered, wanting to be in control of everything, looking at our interest instead of others. This is wrong. Our action might cause harm to others if we are self seeking. If you are in leadership, management, government authority, this is applicable to you. Your actions are affecting people lives. Do not because you are in authority, wanting to be in control, cause people to suffer. Recently one country in one of their district health authority because of their bureaucracy lead to a young boy who has Covid to die. It took numerous calls from the child parents to various departments, with many calls no answer and long call waiting time for more than an hour before the ambulance arrive. The processes are too many, need to talk to various parties and getting approval before ambulance can be send. This is not right.
Let’s pray. Dearest Heavenly Father, it saddens my heart when I heard the news about this little boy who had Covid not getting medical treatment in time all because of man own ways. May all of us realize our actions can impact others. We should not be self-centered. We should not seek to be in control of things that result in harm to others. May those who do wrong realize their mistakes, repent and seek for forgiveness. May they turn towards you and realize they need to seek after you and repent. All of us need to seek after you to know if it is your will in the decision we are about to take. May the people be able to hear from you and obey you. May we remember to seek the interest of others instead of ourselves. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
