May I Be Your Friend?
Scripture Reading — Psalm 25
The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
Our psalmist is in trouble and danger. Enemies are threatening. In effect, the psalmist cries out, “God, help!” But this is more than a cry for help; this psalm is also a plea for forgiveness. Repeatedly the psalmist asks God to forget, to forgive, and to be gracious.
In answer to his prayer for help and forgiveness, the writer seeks guidance, the wise counsel of a friend and confidant. Looking to the one who knows everything about him, the psalmist asks God for direction and teaching in order to see the path he should take.
The psalmist ends this prayer with a commitment to follow through on this request—the bodyguards of uprightness and integrity will accompany him as he receives God’s counsel and advice. Uprightness, the straightforward knowing of God’s ways and understanding who God wants him to be, will be on one side. And integrity, following through on God’s guidance and walking the way God directs him to walk, will be on the other side.
Each day choices need to be made, decisions acted on, life lived. Psalm 25 invites us to live under the gentle tutoring of God, to humbly submit to the holy wisdom that will help us make faithful decisions, to rely on the steadfast one whose friendship will guide us to the right choices.
Are you seeking God’s counsel today?
What a friend we have in you, Jesus! Help us to be faithful in return, loving you with all our heart, soul, and mind. Amen.
About the author — Thea Leunk
Thea Nyhoff Leunk has been a high school English teacher, a director of Christian education, a pastor of discipleship, and a regional coach for the Christian Reformed Church in North America. She is currently the senior pastor at Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thea has also written courses for teens and young adults on world religions, Christian faith traditions, and science and the Bible. She and her husband have three adult children.
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