Instruction
Scripture: Psalm 25:1-10
Psalm 25 is an acrostic with 22 verses, one for each letter
of the Hebrew alphabet. Luther says it is, “a psalm of prayer in which the
righteous pray that God will make them godly, forgive their sins, guard them
from sin and shame, and finally deliver them from all enemies and all evil.
Along with this the psalm mocks the false, self-centered spirits and teachers.”
In the advent season this psalm reminds us to wait for the Lord and we think of
the Old Testament people who waited for Jesus’ birth, and of believers today
who wait for Jesus to return.
Teaching
Trust and waiting go hand in hand. We trust God to come for
us and to rescue us. That means that we wait for Him to come to us in His
chosen way and at His proper time. For the people of the Old Testament they
waited for Messiah to come. Ever since God promised a savior to Adam and Eve
the birth of each boy raised the question: “Is he the one God promised?” So
they waited for God to come and save them from sin.
As New Testament people we know that God kept that promise
by sending His Son, Jesus, who took on human flesh so that He could pay for the
sins of our flesh with His blood. We, also, have been called to trust and wait.
Jesus promised that He would return to judge the living and the dead, and that
He would take us into the eternal home God has waiting for us. That day has not
come yet, but it will. Trust and wait.
Life
Think back to when you were going to be picked up to go
somewhere. How would you feel if the person who was driving was late? What if
they didn’t tell you exactly when they would be there, but to be patient and
know that they would come get you? Would you doubt that they were coming?
Some doubt that Jesus will return. We might begin to wonder if
He will return as we go through difficult times or think of the time between
Jesus’ Ascension and today. Psalm 25 encourages us to lift up our souls to the
Lord, to call on Him in worship, praise, confession, and prayer, and to wait.
He will come.
Prayer
To You, O Lord, we lift up our souls. O God, we trust in
You, and it is for You that we wait. You are good and upright. You instruct
sinners in the way, lead the humble in what is right, and teach us Your way.
All the Your paths are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep Your
covenant and testimonies.
Thank You for not letting anyone who trusts in You be put to
shame. Thank You for leading us in your truth, teaching us, and for being the
God of our salvation. Thank You for remembering Your mercy, O Lord, and Your
steadfast love.
Remember not the sins we have committed and forget our
transgressions, O Lord. According to Your steadfast love forgive our sins for
the sake of Christ who shed His blood for us.
Lord, let the wantonly treacherous be ashamed, but lead us
in Your truth and teach us to know Your ways all the more deeply. Give us faith
to wait for You all the day long, even for all of our lives knowing that none
who waits for You will ever be put to shame for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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