Daily Devotion, May 18, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 25:4-10.

As ten year old campers, we carefully followed our camp counselor to the top of a tall mountain in northeast GA.

During college I was trained to lead and guide the campers. We had to know the trail very well, with all its twists, turns, crossable creeks, rest stops, and historical markers; the differences between the non-poisonous and poisonous plants, how to step on a fallen tree to avoid a hidden snake underneath, and where the boundary markers were at the top of the mountain. And of course we carried a first-aid kit.

For the 48 campers on the hike, there were four counselors: a counselor leading, two counselors in the middle and another counselor at the very end of the line. The camp counselors took their responsibilities very seriously. The campers knew they would be safe if they simply followed the counselors very closely. Neither counselors nor campers were to lose sight of each other. The goals were to keep everyone safe and to truly create an experience to see God’s creation of the beautiful mountains.

When I read this Psalmist’s prayer, my mind’s eye returns to these hiking experiences as both camper and counselor. The Psalmist writes in this chapter that his whole trust is in God. He asks God to teach him the pathways, to guide him in God’s truth, salvation, and hope. He knows that God will guide in what is right.

Verses 4-10 are beautiful metaphors for God’s pathways. God’s pathways are mercy, love and forgiveness. God’s pathways are good and upright. God guides us away from anything which will bring us harm, including our nature to follow the pathways of sin. God’s pathways are faithful and again, loving. God knows these pathways best and knows best how to lead us.

In both familiar and unfamiliar territory, I would want to follow only the One who knows the pathway best and leads safely. The Psalmist knows God is the One who knows the path and will lead safely. The Psalmist confidently trusts God with his whole being and safely follows. Verse 15 says, “My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.”

Personal Worship Option:

Loving and Merciful God, help us keep our eyes on you and place our complete trust in you to lead us in your pathways and to guide us into your truth. Amen.