Psalm 53 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 53 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they commit abominable acts; there is no one who does good.
Verse 2God looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.
Verse 3They have all fallen away, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one.
Verse 4Have they no knowledge, those evildoers, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?
Verse 5There they shall be in great terror, in terror such as has not been. For God will scatter the bones of the ungodly; they will be put to shame, for God has rejected them.
Verse 6O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
Devotion
What a challenge to accept a gift we receive freely … a gift we can’t pay for … a gift that comes when we call on God. As we pray, we receive the life breath of God and the Spirit that is poured out on us. We pray for and with the poor in body or spirit. This life breath of God frees us from fear and gives us room to live and be the people God created us to be. We stand up and boldly walk in this world without fear. Jesus tells us not to be afraid even of death.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the gift and the power of your Spirit that frees us to serve you. Amen.