Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

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Read

Psalm 25:1-10 (NRSV)

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness’ sake, O LORD!

Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

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Reflect

This psalm is one that I regard as a morning prayer. I envision King David, at the beginning of a day full of decisions and choices regarding the administration of the kingdom of Israel, going to the Lord and praying this prayer. Affirming that his trust will be in the Lord, not in himself, David asked for the Lord’s protection, guidance, and instruction. He also announced that he, King David, would wait upon the Lord, the author of salvation. He then asked God to remember and be mindful of God’s steadfast love and mercy, while forgetting the king’s youthful sins.

David finished the brief but beautiful prayer by stating that the Lord is good. Those who walk the paths that God has prepared, who keep God’s covenant and decrees, will choose the ways of steadfast love and faithfulness, not the worldly preference where the ends justify the means. Let us resolve this day to do as David did, and keep that same covenant of love and faithfulness.

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Pray

God, I long to be a person after your own heart. I long to live within the covenant of your love. Thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness. Amen.

Go with God.