Ps. 25:1-22 (A Psalm of David.)  UNTO thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. 3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. 4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness sake, O Lord. 8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For thy names sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. 12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. 15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. 18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. 19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

UNPACKING: In a time of “trouble” David remembers his sin, salvation, the “tender mercies and …lovingkindnesses” of the Lord.  He asks for “forgiveness” and “pardon” for his “iniquity” at least three times in these verses.  He recognizes that there is a “cause and effect” relationship involved in most of his troubles.  This Psalm illustrates the dichotomy that exists in all believes.  There is a constant wrestling between the troubles that seek to get our attention off of the Lord and our faith.  In the end, as always, he commits himself to keep his eyes ever toward the Lord and to continue to wait for Him.

All humans have some things in common. One of them is trouble.  No one escapes all of the storms of life.  I have found that sometimes I can’t control what happens to me. What I can control is my response.  It is my attitude and ultimate response that the Lord will hold me accountable for.  Much of our problem is our own sin, yet we may suffer from the sins of others.  Our greatest need is forgiveness and acceptance from God.  I must keep my eyes on Him and trust that He will supply, ultimately, the salvation or deliverance that I am in need of.

PRAYER: Lord, teach me and guide me daily.  I remember Your great salvation, Your covenant, Your testimonies and Your faithfulness to honor Your Word.  Let this Word build my faith so it can move the “ mountains” in my life.   In Jesus’ Name, amen.

COMMITMENT: The “secret of the Lord is with” me because I fear Him.  I will wait on the complete salvation provided in Jesus Christ and fight to keep my eyes focused on Him.  I will battle every attraction and distraction that seeks to get my spiritual eyes off of the Lord.

Are there any other lessons in this Word for me today?

What will the consequences be, if I don’t apply these truths in my life?

What else do I need to confess today?  Pray about?

Is there anything in my life that will keep me from honoring this commitment?  What will I do about it?