Advent

November 24, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 25:1-10

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
   teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
   for you are the God of my salvation;
   for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
   for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
   according to your steadfast love remember me,
   for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;
   therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
   and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
   for those who keep his covenant and his decrees. –Psalm 25:4-10

Humble: having a low opinion of one’s own importance or merits; modest or meek in spirit, manner, or appearance: not proud or haughty*.

The proud or haughty cannot be taught anything. Their opinions or values are their truth, whether it aligns with reality or not. Often their truths seep into our culture and are accepted as norms. God’s ways are not the ways of the proud or haughty. As I observed people, I discerned that one of the worst messages parents or others relay to children is that they are better than anybody else. Most children, deep in their hearts, know that is not true. They may be good at some things, but they see others whose skills are better than theirs in other areas. The results are far-reaching. Some who have been given that message become bullies, some develop inferior complexes, and some kill people in what they perceive as self-defense, not because their lives are in danger, but their self-image is threatened. Such minors should not be imprisoned, but they need help rather than being given licenses to kill or enable copycats.

People are created in the image of God, determined not by looks but by how they love. Therefore, we cannot follow the paths of the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness until we take off the garments of privilege.

Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). Amen.

*https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/humble

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.