In Psalm 25, David is in trouble once again. You could probably write a book (maybe someone has) on how you can bet trials and struggles will beset followers of God based on how often the man after God’s own heart found himself in hot water. Regardless, David models for us how one ought to respond to God in moments of strife and struggle.
“O my God in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.”
David begins his psalm by turning and addressing God directly. He puts his full trust in the Lord. I tend toward being a problem solver and over-analyzer. All too often, when confronted with a trial, my first move is to try and figure out the next steps, reason why things are the way they are, and then make the “best” decision possible. I either never engage God or do so only after my own efforts have come up empty. David, too, has tried to take care of his problems on his own in the past (v.7), but now he has learned to seek God first.
“Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”
David then seeks the Lord for wisdom in what he should do. “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths”. He so fully trust God to grant his request he doesn’t even say please. David expectantly “waits” for God to make everything right. So often my struggles and fears are more about misplaced hope than anything else.
“For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.”
When my children have something go against them, they are prone to fits of “not fair” or “but [insert name of convenient example] didn’t have to do this”. I typically write that off as a childish reaction, but I know my adult heart has felt the same with my own problems. Yet David uses his struggles as a time to examine and reflect on his own sinful condition. Multiple times over in Psalm 25, David affirms God’s forgiveness mercy as well as his goodness and righteousness.
“May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you”
David closes his psalm by asking for God to preserve him and redeem Israel. It is an honest plea to the only one whom he knows can provide true help. His struggles were likely more visceral and tangible than what modern Western Christians will typically (though not categorically) face. His problems weren’t metaphorical or solely spiritual. They were real, with physical consequences. And yet, his trust was in a God whose steadfast love and faithfulness would cause him to one day send his Son to redeem us all. Might we too be honest with our Father the next time we endure trials knowing that Jesus himself has already not let us “be put to shame”.
--Chris Reed