Week 27: Day 5

Intro: Hi guys, welcome to Orbit, a short reflection from the team behind Satellites. My name’s Naomi, and I’m a pastor at SAINT in East London. Today we’re going to open up a bit of the bible, pray together, and think about one practical tool that we can bring into the day ahead.

Bible: Today’s passage is Psalm 25:4-10, let’s get into it!

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, 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.

Thoughts: Have you read the psalms before? Maybe you’ve heard of some of the famous ones, like Psalm 23 ‘The Lord is my shepherd’, or Psalm 91 ‘Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty’.

Well the psalms are a collection of songs/poetry written by important figures in Israel. People like Moses, Solomon and King David. And they’re full of different emotions, some sound angry and frustrated with God, others more celebratory, and some just full of questions. They’re a really great reminder that prayer can come in all shapes and sizes – joy, sadness, frustration, thanksgiving, and more!

In this particular psalm, King David is asking for help. And boy did he need it, he was a warrior, a king, his love life was a bit of a mess, and his sons were constantly at each other’s throats. One even made a plan to attempt to kill him! In all of the chaos and responsibility he had, David knew where to put his trust. It wasn’t in people or institutions, but in God. And so he asked god to guide him and teach him, to show him mercy and gentleness. David had a good attitude, he didn’t go up to God pretending to be perfect either, he knew he’d made mistakes, but he also knew that god’s love for him was bigger than any error he could make. Maybe you’ve done things that you don’t think could be forgiven. Perhaps in an argument or moment of anger people have even told you that they won’t forgive you – but God will. As the psalm says “God guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” He’s not angry with you, He doesn’t condemn you, rather He wants to show you just how full and joy-filled life with Him can be! So why not bring your shortcomings to God, and let Him show you a better way.

Prayer: Let’s pray together.

God sometimes I make mistakes, sometimes I get things wrong. Would you help me to be honest with you, to be humble and ask you for help. Show me that this is all a part of growing up and growing in faith. Would you fill me with a sense of your love and forgiveness. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Challenge: God calls us to forgive others, as He forgives us. Is there someone today that you need to forgive? You don’t need to tell them, you just need to make the choice to let that thing go, and start treating them like it’s behind you both. Maybe ask God to bring a name to mind, and set yourself and the person free, by forgiving them, because God has forgiven you.

Outro: Thanks so much for checking in this week, it’s been great to spend it with you looking at Exodus & the psalms!