DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Psalm 141
MEMORY VERSE
“Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. Psalm 141:5
BACKGROUND
According to research, Gen Z can detect a false compliment from a mile away. While the intention might be kindness, the members of that generation value something deeper: genuine respect and honesty.
Not looking to be flattered, they want to be believed in. When truth is spoken, they feel respected, taken seriously, and are challenged to grow. But this is likely true for most of us.
Psalm 141:5 gives voice to this wisdom. David wrote, “Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me.” In his prayer to God, he asks that he would welcome loving wounds from friends as kindness (v. 5; see also Proverbs 27:6).
David was intimating that real love doesn’t dodge difficult conversations. It tells the truth, not to shame people but to help them be drawn to God and not “be drawn to what is evil” (Psalm 141:4).
This passage reminds us that wise, truthful feedback isn’t about tearing others down but building them up.
Let’s not fear receiving correction from the right sources, and let’s not shy away from offering it either. We don’t need more sugarcoated words. We need people who are willing to speak the truth in love.
Sometimes the words that sting the most are the ones that build us, heal us, and help us become who God made us to be.
Marvin Williams
INSIGHT
Scripture has much to say about the power of our words. A familiar New Testament passage is James 3:1-12. According to James, keeping control of our tongue is difficult. However, before we lose hope in being able to speak good words to one another, consider what David says in Psalm 141.
Here, tucked in the middle of his other requests, the psalmist asks God to “set a guard over [his] mouth” (v. 3). He desires to live a life that contrasts with the evildoers around him (v. 4), a life that welcomes words of truth from others. He says, “Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head” (v. 5).
Today, God can help us use our words well and speak truthfully to others.
J.R. Hudberg
APPLICATION
Why can it be hard to offer correction to other believers? How do you respond to loving correction from others?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s
Post)
“Let’s not fear receiving correction from the right sources…We don’t need more sugarcoated words. We need people who are willing to speak the truth in love. Sometimes the words that sting the most are the ones that build us, heal us, and help us become who God made us to be.”
PR’s TAKE
“My goal is to speak the truth in love. There are a lot of people speaking the truth with no love, and there are a lot of people talking about love without much truth” Shane Claiborne
PRAYER
“Dear God, please help me to give and receive wise feedback and correction as gifts of Your grace.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE” Jamie Barker
Lord, teach us how to judge aright
Not by the pride of self or sight
Remove the beam from every eye
Before we speak or testify
Give us discernment, clean and true
To know what love is called to do
Speak truth in love, walk humbly still
Let mercy shape our care
Not quick to wound, nor slow to guide
But patient, just, and fair
Speak truth in love, with gentle hearts
As Christ has shown the way
Restoring those who fall aside
And walking day by day
When sin is seen, yet souls are dear
Teach us to act without the fear
Of seeming harsh or standing still
While silence lets the wound grow ill
Not stones to cast, nor guilt to hide
But truth and grace stand side by side
Speak truth in love, walk humbly still
Let mercy shape our care
Not quick to wound, nor slow to guide
But patient, just, and fair
Speak truth in love, with gentle hearts
As Christ has shown the way
Restoring those who fall aside
And walking day by day
For judgment’s end is not to break
But call the wandering soul awake
To turn again, to heal, restore
And walk with God in truth once more
So help us, Lord, in all we do
To judge as Thou hast judged us too
Speak truth in love, walk humbly still
Let mercy shape our care
Till justice flows with kindness joined
In lives that truly care
Speak truth in love, till all are one
In grace and faith made strong
Together shaped for Kingdom life
Where all our hearts belong
