September 29, Your Diet

Today’s reading: Psalms 141-145

“Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies” - Psalm 141:4.

David often prayed for himself throughout the psalms. While you pray for others on your prayer list, it is a good idea to include yourself. If you don’t know what to pray, then pray the prayers the psalmists prayed for themselves. Today’s verse contains two “do not let me” prayers, both seeking a heart that would stay true to the Lord and avoid evil. The way to do this is to watch what you “eat” — what you allow into your heart through your ears and eyes. This theme of “eating well” is continued in Proverbs, where it says, “Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them” (Proverbs 1:30-32). What diet does your heart have? Does it permit gossip and foolishness through reality television shows to enter? Do you read the Word or dime novels? Do you spend time with those who can encourage your heart or weigh it down? Do you study the lives of great people or fools? Do you listen to great music or trash? What else are you “eating”? Is it junk food or wholesome fare?