Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.
Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

I recently bought some Italian dressing, as we like to eat salads with fresh vegetables from our garden. Now this dressing has a lot of components to it: spices like oregano and basil, pepper and salt, and oil and vinegar. And before it is put on top of a salad, the bottle says to vigorously shake it. Why? Because there is one ingredient that tends to separate and remain separate from the others — oil.

To be one set apart for the Lord amidst the chaos, descension, lies, greed, immorality of this world. To rise above it and not be polluted by it. This is what God calls us to be like. While we are still, at times, mingling with people in the world, we are trying to save them, after all, through the power of God’s Spirit. But we must remain uncontaminated.

So when we worry or “tremble” at the world and its powers, we are called to also not sin, but instead put our trust in the Lord. He will deliver us!

Peace with God — it is the longing our hearts are born into this sinful world with. And through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross it is there for the taking. We can have true rest and security because the Lord is on our side.

Lord, may I remain pure in my faith and separate from this world. Teach me to trust you and take hope in your deliverance. I am at perfect peace when I recognize that you are my peace and I dwell with you!