The Rev. Dr. David Morse, Lecturer in United Methodist Studies, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Scripture
Psalm 25
1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
6 Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness’ sake, O LORD!
8 Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
11 For your name’s sake, O LORD,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who are they that fear the LORD?
He will teach them the way that they should choose.
13 They will abide in prosperity,
and their children shall possess the land.
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
and he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart,
and bring me out of my distress.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 O guard my life, and deliver me;
do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God,
out of all its troubles.
Devotional
During the time we call Lent, we are given an opportunity to reflect in a unique way on the question, “Who am I before God?” As we lift our souls to God, we are challenged to reflect on that question anew. The psalmist gives us some guidance to answer that question. As we reflect on his words, we discover several aspects of who we are. We are forgiven. Our sins, though real, have been forgiven. We are instructed. The Lord instructs us in the way of wisdom and thereby guides our path. We are given consolation in times of distress. These gifts, among others, are the gifts of God’s presence. This awareness empowers us to be able to live lives of confidence, lives of service, and lives of victory.
Prayer
God of grace, God of forgiveness, God of wisdom, give us power to lift our souls to you, to embrace the cross, and to follow you as faithful disciples confident of your victory in Christ and our victory in Him. Amen.