‘To Thee, O Lord, I Lift Up My Soul.’ Psalm 25:1 NAS
Psalm 25 describes a person who’s chosen the right road, yet not found it easy to walk. In the first ten verses we learn five important things about the person who prays:
1) They know where to go for help. ‘To Thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul’ (v.1). Others may assist us, but only God can sustain us. 2) They know who to trust. ‘…in Thee I trust…Do not let my enemies exult over me’ (v.2). Love your enemies, because God does. Pray for them, turn them over to God and move on. 3) They know the purpose of prayer. ‘Lead me in the truth and teach me…’ (v.4). Richard Foster writes, ‘To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer. The more we pray the more we come to the heart beat of God. Prayer starts the communication process between ourselves and God. All the options of life fall before us. At that point we will either forsake our prayer life and cease to grow, or we will pursue our prayer life and let Him change us.’ 4) They know the basis of their acceptance. ‘…According to Thy loving kindness remember Thou me…’ (v.7). We cannot approach God on the basis of our goodness, only on the merits of Christ’s saving grace. 5) They know prayer works. ‘…He teaches the humble His way’ (v.9). When you can’t see your way forward, pray. God will reveal it to you one step at a time – all you have to do is follow.
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The Word For Today
Tues June 20th 06
‘I Will Sing Of Mercy and Judgment…’ Psalm 101:1 KJV
Notice the five ‘I wills’ of David in Psalm 101: 1) ‘I will sing of mercy and judgment…’ (v.1). When dealing with others, some of us are all mercy and no justice; others are all justice and no mercy. God requires both. 2) ‘I will behave myself wisely…’ (v.2). People are more impacted by your behaviour than by your beliefs. Your children may not always follow your advice, but count on it, they’ll follow your footsteps. Those not persuaded by your theology, can still be won by your love and lifestyle. 3) ‘…I will walk within my house with a perfect heart’ (v.2). Charity begins at home. If your family thinks you’re joyless and judgemental, you’ll never attract them to Christ. David prayed, ‘… how I need your help, especially in my own home, where I long to act as I should’ (Psalm 101:2 TLB) 4) ‘I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes…’ (v.3). Get real. Television is on seven hours a day in most homes. So ask yourself: ‘what am I exposing myself and my family to?’ What you tolerate, you’ve no right to complain about! You say you’ve no time to read God’s Word and pray. No, the truth is, you don’t have a strong enough desire to. 5) ‘I will early destroy all the wicked…’ (v.8). The Living Bible states, ‘I will not tolerate anyone who secretly slanders his neighbour; I will not permit conceit and pride. I will make the godly of the land my heroes, and invite them to my home…’ (Psalm 101:5-6 TLB). Those are five ‘I wills’ you should live by.
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
