Psalm 25:1-10
In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
These words are an important reminder to encourage us trust in God. No one who hopes in Him will ever be put to shame.
Our hope is for a different reality in the Middle East, for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, for all wars and conflict to cease… We have great hope for a new reality where justice will reign down and peace will prevail.
This hope does not rest in the hands of humankind. This hope does not rest in a political process with the United States at the helm. Rather, our hope rests in God.
This first week of Advent, let us be reminded to whom we submit our trust. Do not trust in the ways of humans, but rather trust in God. Psalm 25 reminds us to put our trust in our heavenly Father, who loves us, and promises us to be faithful in his mercy and grace.
The Advent Season is a reminder that we may trust in the one who comes… the Messiah… Emmanuel… God with us.
Join us in this Advent Prayer:
God of hope, who brought love into this world,
be the love that dwells between us.
God of hope, who brought peace into this world,
be the peace that dwells between us.
God of hope, who brought joy into this world,
be the joy that dwells between us.
God of hope, the rock we stand upon,
be the centre, the focus of our lives
always, and particularly this Advent time.