Thank you for sharing this early moment of your day with me, with God, and with the thoughts and words of this reading that I hope you will carry with you throughout the coming day and night.

Today’s Scripture:

Psalm 25:4-10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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.

Tim’s Devotional Reflection for Today

Make me know your ways. Teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth. Teach me. Be mindful of your mercy and your steadfast love. Do not remember the sins of my youth. Remember me. These are the petitions in the Psalmist’s prayer. There is a deep desire to understand and to live a life that is faithful to the way God desires.

The image of life as a journey and choosing the right way or path or gate is found throughout the Bible. In Psalm 23 the psalmist declares that God “leads me in the paths of righteousness.” In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus says, ““Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” In John 14, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The earliest Christians were called people belonging to The Way (See Acts 9:2, Acts 18:25-26, Acts 19:9, Acts 19:23, Acts 24:14, Acts 24:22).

What path are you following? I remember hearing a pastor when I was young ask a question that has stayed with me through the years: When you get where you’re going, where will you be?

There is a lot of theology woven into hymns. To enhance today’s reading, I recommend listening to “Lead me, Lord”. I hope you will take a few moments to let the words of this message and the emotion that always connects us to music connect with your soul.

Lead me Lord
Lead me by the hand
And let me face the rising sun
Comfort through all the pain
That life may bring

There’s no other hope
That I can lean upon
Lead me Lord,
Lead me all my live

Walk by me Walk by me
Across the lonely roads that I may face
Take my arms and let your hand
Show me the way

Show the way to live inside your heart
All my days,
All my life

You are my light
You’re the lamp upon my feet
All the Time, my lord I need you there
You are my light
I can not live alone
Let me stay, by your guiding love
All through my live
Lead me Lord

Lead me Lord,
Eventhough at times
I’d rather go along my way
Help me take the right direction

Take your road
Lead me lord
And never leave my side
All my days, all my life

You are my light
You’re the lamp upon my feet
All the Time, my lord I need you there
You are my light
I can not live alone
Let me stay, by your guiding love
All through my live

You are my light
You’re the lamp upon my feet
All the Time, my lord I need you there
You are my light
I can Me
Oh, Lord

I am so grateful for you, for our church, and for the Love that will see us all through this very difficult time. Please stay safe and well and we’ll be together again in spirit tomorrow morning!