Mind Your Manors
Read Psalms 99:1–101:8
1. I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs.
2. I will be careful to live a blameless life—when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.
3. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.
4. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.
5. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride.
6. I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.
7. I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.
8. My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the Lord from their grip. Psalm 101:1-8
Advertisement
It’s a noble deed when kids stick up for siblings on the playground. That shouldn’t surprise us, however, because family honor pulls family members together like nothing else does. But have you noticed how different it usually is between siblings? The politeness level quickly drops.
David knew all too well about how poorly family members treat each other. In Psalm 101, he wrote a prayer in which he asked God to help him act as he should at home. It’s a prayer that every family member could benefit from reading.
Other prayers in this section concern trust in God’s fairness and holiness (Psalm 99) and entering God’s presence joyfully (Psalm 100).
Living in close proximity to those with whom you have close relationships will always lead to conflict. Nowhere do we have more close relationships than at home. Thus, our homes can be difficult places in which to always be civil and kind. In most families, parents and children relax and remove their mask of good behavior, often treating each other with less respect and kindness than they show to friends, coworkers, or even strangers. David must have had this problem as he prayed to God for help (Psalm 101:2).
Like David, pray about your behavior and attitudes toward other family members. Pray that God will help you imitate Christ at home so that you will be able to genuinely love your family and show them kindness and respect.
