July 18th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Psalm 52
Why do you boast, O mighty one, of mischief done against the godly? All day long
you are plotting destruction. Your tongue is like a sharp razor, you worker of treachery.
You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking the truth. Selah
You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.

But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
The righteous will see, and fear, and will laugh at the evildoer, saying,
“See the one who would not take refuge in God, but trusted in abundant riches, and sought refuge in wealth!”

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
I will thank you forever, because of what you have done. In the presence of the faithful I will proclaim your name, for it is good.

Reflection
To hear the tongue of one who tells lies,
brings on anger and fury.
Deceit is obvious to the listener,
but the speaker believes it's hidden.

The foolish lie and boast,
they live proudly on false pretense.
The stories never end,
and become more and more absurd.

The righteous turn to one another,
they turn together to One God.
Life is open and humble,
always seeking God's formation and love.

God uses the tongue for good instead of evil,
the work of God's children is pure and open.
The tongue of the faithful, praise the Creator,
the Father, the Son and the Spirit.

In God's Word we live and trust,
a Word always true and righteous.
Only through God's Word can we live,
in love and salvation eternally.

Prayer
Lord, forgive me when I fail to control my tongue and the words that I speak. Fill me with your truth and your will and your way, that I may bring glory to you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen