The Kindness Of Truth

THE KINDNESS OF TRUTH

a prayer to open

Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true.

Here’s my life, Lord. Speak what is true.

O LORD, I am calling to you. Please hurry!

Listen when I cry to you for help!

Accept my prayer as incense offered to you,

and my upraised hands as an evening offering.

Take control of what I say, O LORD,

and guard my lips.

Don’t let me drift toward evil

or take part in acts of wickedness.

Don’t let me share in the delicacies

of those who do wrong.

Let the godly strike me!

It will be a kindness!

If they correct me, it is soothing medicine.

Don’t let me refuse it.

But I pray constantly

against the wicked and their deeds.

When their leaders are thrown down from a cliff,

the wicked will listen to my words and find them true.

Like rocks brought up by a plow,

the bones of the wicked will lie scattered without burial.

I look to you for help, O Sovereign LORD.

You are my refuge; don’t let them kill me.

Keep me from the traps they have set for me,

from the snares of those who do wrong.

Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

but let me escape.

The conditions of our hearts are revealed by our reactions to stressful or difficult situations. The words that come out of our mouths say something about the anger, resentment, unrest, and fear deep within us. This psalm reminds us that sometimes the greatest kindness a person can offer (although it may not feel like kindness at the time) is the truth about how he or she experiences us in stressful conditions. That truth helps us see what’s in our hearts. How might our lives be shaped if we were able to hear truth from others as a kindness from God aimed at transforming us into Christlikeness?

• Read this passage again slowly. What word or phrase stands out to you? Why do you think that word or phrase speaks to you? What does it say?
• Reflect on the last time you were under very stressful circumstances. How would an objective person have experienced your words and actions during that time? What do you think your words and actions revealed about your heart?
• Who speaks truth to you? What are the ways you encourage that person to share truth with you? What are the ways you (perhaps even subconsciously) discourage them from being fully truthful?

Lord, thank you for placing people in my life who will be truthful with me, not as a criticism but as an extension of your kindness. Help me lower my defenses and be open to the transforming work you seek to do in me through other people. Show me the places in my heart that still don’t reflect your heart and character. Allow me to receive your correction wholeheartedly so I can better reflect to the world who you are. Amen.