God Pause for Tuesday, 9/23/2014
/Luther Seminary God Pause
Tuesday, 9/23/2014 Reading: Psalm 25:1-9
How can David talk to God with such confidence, with such force and will? David is insistent in his requests to the Lord: "do not let ... ", "do not let ... ", "do not let ... ",(v. 2-3), and repeatedly David's words come as commands to the Lord, "make me ... ", "teach me ... ", "lead me ... " (v. 4-5). And if that doesn't catch our attention, in an almost comical shift of tone, David declares, "He [the Lord] leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way" (v. 9). What is there that is humble about this prayer of David?
Possibly everything. A closer look at the content of this prayer shows that it is not David placing himself at its center, but it is David praying as if God is at the center--of everything. It makes me wonder: if we came to realize that indeed God is at the center of everything, would we also be able to speak to God with such boldness and confidence?
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O Lord! Amen.>
Nate Bendorf Pastor of Youth and Family at Calvary Lutheran Church, Bemidji, Minn. Master of Divinity, 2013
Psalm 25:1-9 (NRSV)
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.
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