Choose

12/25/2015

Psalm 25.12 Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. – King David

The Book of Psalms (pronounced: s’alms – the ‘p’ is silent) is a collection more than it is a book. We seem to use the word book to express the word collection. The collection of psalms (or songs) numbers one hundred-fifty in the Bible. King David is credited with having written 73 of those songs. Number 25 is one of my favorites.

We have to remember that in David’s life he wasn’t always king, he was a shepherd boy at one time. At age 33 David became king of Israel – the united nation of Israel; the nation divided into Israel and Judah during the reign of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. David appears to have been a man who was a thinker. Maybe all those secluded days of tending his dad’s sheep out in the fields gave him plenty of time to think as he was being trained – even then – to shepherd God’s people at a later date.

And David wrote songs about God. David seemed to be a true believer. The main focus of David’s life was this: how can I magnify the greatness of God in my life and work? David understood and extolled the faithfulness of God. I think that one thing is what set David apart in his life: he understood and praised God for His faithfulness.

And so, in Psalm 25 David asks this question: Who is the man who fears the Lord? And follows it up with this response: Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. The answer is this, maybe: him (the one who fears the Lord) will he (God) instruct in the way that he (God) should choose. Or the answer could be this: Him, the one who fears and follows the Lord will he (God) instruct in the way that he (the man who fears God) should choose. Either way, the Lord has the bases covered.

What do we want to do in Life? What do we want to get out of life? The answer is this: choose. But success is not the choice as much as the success is this: Who is the man who fears the Lord? Fearing (respecting) God is critical in life – the one who does will both be guided and instructed in what the Lord desires for him to accomplish; and, the one who does may choose his life’s vocation knowing God will instruct him in his choosing. If we want to know what to do in life, we need God’s help and partnership in whatever it is we choose, or are led to do.

Life is not as much about me as it is about God and me. But with respect and partnership with and for the Lord, God in all His infinite wisdom will guide and direct and bless. He’s that good!

Regardless of how David became the great King he was, he greatly loved and respected God, and God gave him great success. Is my life any different in the equation?

Father, on this, my sixtieth Christmas I celebrate the coming of the Son of David, Christ the Lord; Jesus whom I trust, and respect. I know that whatever I do in these autumn years of life will be blessed because of Your choosing, and mine. Thank You for the encouragement today and thank You for the adventure tomorrow – I give You praise! Amen!