Psalm
25 is one of many acrostic poems written by David. That is, each
verse begins with a successive letter in the Hebrew alphabet. I
suspect that is a little more time consuming to create, perhaps
indicating he wrote it at a time that was less frantic. It reminds
me that we have different seasons in our lives, each with new
challenges and joys. It seems to have a reflective tone, as if he is
thinking back over his life. Recalling the past can give us a new
perspective on the present. He begins, “To
you, O Lord, I lift up my soul“.
David adds, “No
one whose hope is in You will ever be put to
shame“.
That is an awfully bold statement, but I think he is speaking from
experience, not theory. Many philosophies sound good on paper, but
are disastrous in practice. David has one request throughout his
life, “Show
me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and
teach me, for You are God my Savior“.
David points out that, while we change and learn, God is the same
yesterday and forever. “Your
great mercy and love… they are from of old… Remember not the sins
of my youth and my rebellious ways“.
It is important to understand that David does not ask God to ignore
his sins, but as we will read, to forgive them. The daily sacrifices
were an unforgettable reminder that forgiveness came at a cost. Do
you have confidence you are on the right path?
David
explains that his relationship with God has a two-fold promise of
both forgiveness and instruction. God’s instruction is not for the
pious and perfect, but for those of us that have stumbled along the
way. “Therefore
He instructs sinners in His ways“.
That reminds us of the reply Jesus gave the religious men of His day
when they questioned why He would associate with the rowdy crowd. He
answered, “It
is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come
to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”
(Luke 5:21). David says of God, “He
guides the humble… and teaches them His way“.
David does not view God as vengeful and ready to condemn those in
rebellion. He says, “All
the ways of the Lord are
loving
and faithful“.
David asks God, “Forgive
my iniquity, though it is great“.
One of my favorite verses is in 1 Corinthians chapter 6. After a
long list of those lifestyles and behaviors that keep people from
experiencing God’s peace, the apostle adds, “And
that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were
sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
and by the Spirit of our God“.
Forgiveness is for all who ask.
The
psalm ends with a review of David’s understanding thus far in his
life. “Who,
then, is the man that fears the Lord?”
That sounds odd to us, but it is still true. In our society, we
have made God an irrelevant old gent that we give a nod to around the
holidays. David says, “The
Lord confides in those who fear Him… only He will release my feet
from the snare“.
David confesses, “For
I am lonely and afflicted“.
I am convinced this describes more people than we realize. I
believe the reason we are to live out our faith publicly is for those
that suffer silently around us. He asks, “Free
me from my anguish… take away all my sins… Guard my life and
rescue me… for I take refuge in You“.
I have little doubt that those around David heard his understanding.
I believe he spoke publicly, “My
hope is in You“.
And I believe he prayed publically, “Redeem
Israel, O God, from all their troubles!”
Will you live out your faith before those closest to you?