“For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12
Devotion:
As we revisit Psalm 5, we recognize it as a reflection on how God interacts with His people in a world rife with injustice. We are all aware of the brokenness around us and may have experienced it personally. This raises a pressing question: why should we strive to follow God when corruption seems so pervasive? Why should we choose to live honestly in a world so full of dishonesty?
God encourages us by pointing us back to the concept of the blessed life. Beneath the surface, there is a profound truth for those who trust in God. He blesses them and sets His heart upon them. When we are covered by the favor of God, we can trust that He is working His power to bring about ultimate good in our lives. This favor is likened to a shield. Though life may not always go as planned, those who take refuge in God will see everything intended for harm ultimately turned for good.
This may not always be immediately apparent, but we find clarity at the cross of Jesus Christ. There, we witness Jesus’ suffering and death, followed by His resurrection. Sometimes, the blessing of God will be like a death and resurrection. The favor of God transforms every cross into a crown for those who die with Jesus.
Prayer:
Jesus, teach us to suffer with You. Show us what empowered You through the cross. We long for the hope that sustained Your heart and the perseverance that flowed from it.
It is challenging to stand up for what is right when faced with so much wrong, and it is difficult to live an honest life amidst pervasive corruption. Please strengthen our hearts and reignite our resolve. We know that our only hope is You.
Keep our minds filled with Your truth and help us to embrace Your favor as a shield. If You are covering us, then we are blessed. Help us to walk in that blessing always. In Jesus’ name, we worship and pray. Amen.