Paying Attention Has Its Benefits

Paying Attention Has Its Benefits is a Lectionary simple thought reflection from Psalm 85:8-13 about the benefits of listening to God.

July 9, 2015 Year B

Psalm 85:8-13

When you pay attention to someone in authority to you and do what they tell you, benefits will follow. Why is this so? Because only the person you pay attention to can help you. If instead, you choose not to pay attention, then you will make mistakes and consequences will follow. Children learn these valuable lessons.

As God’s children, we are told in this psalm to listen to what God will say. The psalmist wants us to pay attention. What will God say to us?

God speaks peace to us and tells us to not go back to foolish ways (Psalm 85:8).

God will bring salvation to those who respect Him (Psalm 85:9).

If we pay attention to God, faithful love and truth will come together in our lives. That means that out of God’s grace, He will speak truth to us. Truth comes up and righteousness (right living) comes down (Psalm 85:10-11).

If we pay attention, we will see that God will provide what is good. He will make the land yield crops. He will show us the way of right living (Psalm 85:12-13).

In other words, God will show us how to live. But for God to show us the good way to live – the way that benefits us, we need to listen to God and His instruction (Psalm 85:8).

How closely am I listening to God? How much attention am I paying to God?

Prayer: God, help me pay attention and listen to Your instruction. Help me stay focused on You.