This particular passage was the source of some debate during the process of gathering the material to present during this season of Lent. It does not have strong tones for a Lenten reading, however, the message presented was one we should not miss. As Christians we grow in holiness and that growth comes from several sources one of which are fellow believers. Like Peter we can be riding high of our confession that Jesus is Lord (Matthew 16:16-17) only to turn around and be in great need of correction (Matthew 16:23). Psalm 141 is a great reminder of our need of constant correction from a forgiving Savior.
O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me!
Give ear to my voice when I call to you!
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
keep watch over the door of my lips!
4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil,
to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with men who work iniquity,
and let me not eat of their delicacies!
5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head;
let my head not refuse it.
Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
6 When their judges are thrown over the cliff,
then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant.
7 As when one plows and breaks up the earth,
so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol.
8 But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord;
in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!
9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me
and from the snares of evildoers!
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I pass by safely.
Reflection
- How can you “eat the delicacies of a wicked person”?
- Meditate on 141:3 and the phrase “keep watch over the door of my lips”. Journal some of your thoughts on how this applies to you.
- In what way is a serving of humble pie a spiritual slap in the face?
- In the introduction above two texts from Matthew 16 (v. 16-17 & 23) were mentioned. What stands out in what was said and how close these are to each other?
- As a believer in Christ, what is your hope in all moments be it Matthew 16:16-17 or Matthew 16:23?
Audio provided by the 1517 podcast