Daily Devotional for Monday, June 24

David’s Prayer

“O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee,” Psalm 25:20, 21.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” This ancient Chinese proverb can be seen on posters around the country in middle schools, treatment centers and gyms. It is meant to motivate us to get going, to take that first step toward responsibility, treatment or fitness. As demanding as those first steps in a difficult journey can be, it is sometimes the latter steps that can be the most dangerous.

Once a person has started his journey—marriage, job or even ministry—inertia can set in. We can keep moving along because we are already moving. This can create a hazard, though. For instance, in the first steps of marriage, we are careful to consider our spouse, to keep our minds and hearts focused on our spouse and to treat our newly beloved with special care. Over time, we can grow accustomed to the situation and do not focus or concentrate on the journey nearly as much as we should. And when that happens, there is a danger of straying on this journey.

The psalmist recognized the need to finish well in Psalm 25. As he prayed this beautiful prayer, he asked God to keep his soul. He asked God to not let him be ashamed. And he asked God to let integrity and uprightness preserve him. In other words, he asked God to help him walk uprightly, to be a man of integrity and worth. It would be a shame to start well but end disgracefully. He wanted to finish strong the journey God had laid out before him.

PRAYER
“Father, let me finish strong and not falter along the way. Uphold my character for your name’s sake. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Jason Rutherford