Bible Chapter: Psalms 141 & 142

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    I learned about verse 3 while reading the story of Corrie ten Boom.  She and her family were part of the Dutch underground that was helping Jews escape the Nazis in The Netherlands during WW II.  When she was betrayed and arrested, she prayed this verse.  Lord, put a watch, put a guard before my lips so that I don’t say anything that will hurt people or allow anyone to be captured.  This is a good prayer for anyone. It is so easy to say things that hurt people.  It is so easy to insult.  It is much better to uplift with our words.  (Read the great book, The Hiding Place.)
    The Psalmist cried to God because He was his refuge and provision.  He called on God to hear his cry and deliver him from the persecutors.  He prayed for God to set him free from the prison that bound him.  He poured out his heart to God.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Lord, let the wicked be snared in their own nets, in their own traps.  The wicked have many ways to try to ruin people.  They have many tools of destruction.  Lord, let me escape them.  That prayer is a good illustration and insight.  We must understand that the forces of evil are always out there to trip us up.  We don’t need to live in fear, just awareness and a close connection with the Lord.  Note to self:  pay attention and don’t let yourself fall into these traps.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Open your spiritual eyes.  Quite regularly I read about church groups and individuals who say they are following Jesus who are making really bad choices and walking away from what the Bible and change what it says.  The Bible doesn’t change. God’s eternal truth is eternal truth.  Don’t get caught in traps.