2021 Advent Devotions
Psalm 25:1-10 | December 17, 2021
David’s Prayer
by Bert Browning
This very personal prayer is attributed to David, who seems to be the rock star of Hebrew song writing. In its passionate lyrics David opens his heart and soul to God and, consequently, to those who read his hymn of petition. Throughout the centuries since this Psalm was composed, readers have found in its words themes that resonate with their own thoughts and concerns. Once again in this Advent season, Psalmist David articulates for you and me what we, too, seek from God.
“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul…” Where else would we turn? We may experiment with other sources or solutions, but inevitably we turn back to our Creator, our Lord and our Savior.
“Make me know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths…” The guidance many of us resist—or even reject—from time to time in our lives proves to be what we have needed all along, much as we may not want to admit it.
“Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love…” Who but God can offer us forgiveness and restoration? What other comforter can assure us that we may find a secure relationship with the divine?
“Good and upright is the Lord…” Faith in God originates from the mercy God extends to us, and results in our confession of trust in the giver of life, hope and joy.
Advent is a time of expectant waiting for the arrival of the grace of God. What David longed for, prayed about, and wrote a psalm to put into words, was just such a coming of God into his life and into our world to intervene where we most need direction and strength.
For the Christian, the good news is that David’s psalm finds the fulfillment of its longings in the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. In Christ, God reveals our source, our purpose, our security, and our eternal destiny. Through the lens of history, we now look back on the words of David and in them hear not only his hope in God, but also our own hope in God. David’s cry is our cry; David’s yearnings are our yearnings. As God answered David’s prayer in David’s day, God answers our prayer in our own day.
Christ Jesus has come and now we seek and celebrate that coming once again. Come, Lord Jesus!
Prayer: O God, although we may lack the eloquence of your servant David, our earnest desire reflects what he has put into words for us: be our source, our leader, our savior, and our hope. In this Advent season, may we once again discover the wonder of your mercy and goodness. Amen.