July 11, 2019 Daily Devotion

The scripture reading today is Psalm 25:1 (NRSV)

“To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul “

Just Ask

The author of Psalm 25 addresses God directly, offering up his soul. Then he makes dozens of demands on God, asking: Make me / Lead me / Teach me / Remember me / Pardon me / Turn to me / Be gracious to me / Forgive me / Guard me / Deliver me, among other more complicated requests.

But this rather selfish-sounding prayer ends: Redeem US – Redeem Israel, O God, out of all its troubles (25:22). Is “Israel”—my ‘peeps’, my country, all the people of God? Or, in Christ, even more??? In this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus answers a lawyer’s question: “And who is my neighbor?” Always a question worth asking.

Gracious God, I ask that Your grace surround my soul, that my mind and body be equipped to serve my neighbor. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Jim revjimerdman@livinglord.org

Prayer Concern: Pray for yourself; pray for your neighbors.