July 14th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Just As I Am

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Dear God, You are Living Water, You are the Bread of Life. I come hungry and thirsty for You now.

Read Psalm 25:1-22

[1] Of David. In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. [2] I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. [3] No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. [4] Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. [5] Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. [6] Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. [7] Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good. [8] Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. [9] He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. [10] All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. [11] For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. [12] Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. [13] They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land. [14] The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. [15] My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. [16] Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. [17] Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. [18] Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. [19] See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! [20] Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. [21] May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you. [22] Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“Hope is the confidence that if you do God’s will, God will keep his promises to you” (Tony Campolo).

Think Further

Psalm 25 is ascribed to David. As with many psalms bearing his name, it isn’t clear whether he wrote it himself, or it was written for him, or about him or for his use. In his last words, however, he describes himself as “the hero of Israel’s songs” (2 Sam. 23:1), so it’s clear there is a close connection with him. The psalm falls, broadly, into three sections. Verses 1-7 focus on the psalmist’s plea for God to help, guide and forgive. Verses 8-15 focus on God, his character and how he acts in, and blesses, the lives of his followers. Finally, the psalmist’s personal and physical situation returns to the fore, and he implores God for protection and deliverance (16-22). The whole is a fervent prayer of trust in the midst of trouble.

Having worked with children most of my life, including in church, I know the ways in which we teach them about prayer. Models such as ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), as well as many creative activities, begin with worshiping God. This psalm is different. It shows us someone who, as soon as he approaches God, needs to get his anxiety off his chest. Next, he praises God, and then his troubles return to the front of his mind. If the psalm were expressed physically, I imagine the psalmist striding about in agitation, then standing still with arms raised, and then curling up small as circumstances overwhelm him again. 

Having tried different patterns of prayer over the years, I have discovered that, for me, using a formula can be good, and so can ad hoc prayers, as well as prayers written by others. I appreciate variety. What matters, as this psalm shows, is coming into God’s presence just as we are, encouraging ourselves with affirmation of who God is, and being honest.

Apply

On separate pieces of paper, make a list of words describing God (as in Psa. 25). Stick them up around your house or office. Let them focus your thoughts on him throughout the day.

Closing prayer

Great God, I offer praise to You for who You are, what You have done, and what You will do. I’m filled with hope and anticipation on this Lord’s Day.

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