Today’s lesson is entitled: trust in God. Let’s begin by reading
Psalm 25 together! (King James Version)
“25 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 loving kindnesses; 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 name’s 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
This is A psalm of David. In verse one he tells God “1 O Lord, I give my life to you.” This is almost like sanctification, because David is giving his whole self to God. He is totally sold out to God. He has come out from the world and is now living for God.
This whole chapter, it’s like a page out of David‘s personal journal. I don’t think David knew that he knew that his words would have been considered as scripture Thousands of years after his death. It seems that David writes his poetry when life is not at its best. I found this true in my own life, because I love to journal when things go wrong or when I have troubles in my life. I love to look up Bible scriptures that give me comfort and I also write that on its page.
In addition, This poem sang as a song is very beautiful. Sing verse one with me: “Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.”
Verse 2 says: “ I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
Again here, I believe that he’s just pouring his heart out to the Lord. I don’t believe that he was writing it for publication. David is writing about common things that he faces every day. This is why the Holy Spirit chose this Psalm for this morning. We all face challenges. We all are in storms. My challenge is unique to me, and your challenge is unique to you, but through testimonies we are given hope. This testimony is written by David.
If you look at these couple verses the word ashamed is used three times. The Psalmist, or David, believed that Jehovah would not allow his people to be put to shame, because of their faithfulness to him and the fact that his reputation was at stake. And in Psalm 69 verse six we see that David is talking about his sin. He does not want God to be rebuked because of his sins. Furthermore, in Psalm 119 David says that he has stuck to his testimony, and he thanked the Lord for not allowing his shame to bring him reproach. Therefore, when we are forgiven God does not use our sin to shame us.
This brings us to verse 3! “No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.”
In verse3, David said that those who wait upon the lord we’ll find an answer. David is reiterating to have faith. Then he tells us about his faith in the justice of God. Those who do not believe I’m going to ultimately either price.
Let me interest you in a sidenote here…. David makes statements to God of his faith. When you pray, do you make such a statement? Or is your prayers all about, Lord this is what I need… do you, in your prayer, ever make a statement to God? Do we ever say Lord, I know that you are good. Lord I know that you were going to answer the prayers of your children. Do we ever make statements like these? We should! It’s part of communication. We make the statements because they are true. In this scripture, we can tell that David is really stressed out. He really needs the help of God. He makes those questions known, but he immediately comes back to this phrase: no one who wait upon the Lord will be put to shame.
David tells us in Psalm 103:12 what God does to the remembrance of our sin. It says: “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
The last part is true as well. When we deceive others, it often comes back to haunt us!
4 Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.
5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
2 Timothy 2:21 and 22 tells us exactly how we are to do this. Let’s read it together! “21Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, [b]sanctified and useful for the Master, (E)prepared for every good work. 22 (F)Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
So, we are to be sanctified, which means, set apart from the world and for the master’s use. We do not waste our time, but we do the work of God. We flee from lust and follow righteousness. We strive to be gentle and app to teach. And meekness and with patience we instruct others in the way the Lord!
Through Jesus Christ we crucify the flesh, repent, probably from Santa, will you from the ways of the world, acknowledge and except him, and we will be restored. Living is not worth living absent from God Second Timothy 4:2 tells us to preach the word into pray! The word tells us to be instant in season and out of season. Be ready to give an account to anyone who asks. Are you ready with your testimony? This is how we stay on the right path! This is the road the Lord wants us to follow. He will lead us in all truth. Through the Holy Spirit and His Word, he teaches us and through Jesus Christ, he saves us. This is our Hope, and this is our stay.
6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.
Here, David articulates a desire to take refuge in God. He asks God for more guidance on how to handle his enemies. He also requests more protection from his foes.
7 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.
David is remembering that God is a merciful God. He makes these statements, as if, he is reminding the Lord of his mercy, because he does not want the Lord to remember how he has been behaving. He is sorry for his sin.
Don’t we want the Lord to remember, how we are living now; instead of what we used to be? We want God to remember our life with his steadfast love. I want my God to remember how I live for him Daily now; not, how are used to live by the lust flesh.
When we are in trouble and having hard times; we are to seek the Lord. We will find rest and peace in the unfailing love of God.
8 The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
Again, David’s words of faith rise up in verse eight. He said good and upright is the Lord. David said this is what God does: he forgives the sinners, he leads us in the right path, He teaches us to be humble his way. He has just called out to the Lord to intervene. David is saying this is what God does – he teaches us.
9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
We have to love the faith of David! Here, he continues to show his confidence in God’s teaching him to walk in a sanctified way.
10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
Let us also rejoice with David! God helps his children. He rewards those who love and have faith in Him.
11 For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins.
We don’t know what David did; in order, to bring out these words, but we do know that God forgives sin.we can tell that his guilt was weighing heavily on his soul. He is crying out to the Lord to pardon his sin, because it was great.
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Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. Even though, we are sanctified we will still walk around in this flesh! This flesh is tried and tempted. David asks God to forgive him. He desires restoration of God. And note that David is expressing concern for God’s name or reputation in this context. He also expresses that his sin is not a small matter. No, he says that his sins are great.
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They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land.
If we fear the Lord, we can expect to be taught and guided by God. David was mentioning the blessings promised by God in the Mosaic Covenant. He was referring to the children God had promised to inherit the land. Because for a time, it may have seemed to him as if none of his children would survive to inherit the land. And yet, at least his Solomon did and became king after his father.
14
The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.
David says here that the key to getting God’s guidance is to fear him – to reverence him – to live in a way that would demonstrate that you fear disappointing him.
15 My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.
Now, David has bounced back to giving God praise and credit for the goodness in his life. David says here that the key to getting God’s guidance is to fear him – to reverence him – to live in a way that would demonstrate that you fear disappointing him.
Furthermore, if these declarations of faith are absent from your prayer life, the Holy Spirit has impressed upon me to include them. Therefore, as children of God, each one of us should put in declarations of faith. Then speak to the Lord out of faith and not fear. When we do this, we declare his marvelous works. It strengthens our faith. Statements are positive and build a relationship with God.
16 Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress.
When we sin it effects other people? And with his own personal sin completely dealt with, David turns his attention to the troubles brought to the entire people of God of his day – Israel – and the trouble they experience due to their sin in verse 22. For example, when a death occurs of a saint. They can’t make it to church! Pretty soon, the members that came with them quit coming. They eventually become weak and backslide on the Lord. This is why sanctification for everyone is important. We don’t come to church, because someone fills the pew, but we come, because we are “sold-out for Christ!”
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My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all!
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Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins.
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See how many enemies I have and how viciously they hate me!
20
Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.
Did you notice that David asked God to guard his soul. Why does David ask this question?well, it reminds us to figure out what is the soul? The soul is the emotions, the intellect, and the will. So, David I asked God to guard his soul. David knows that when problems come our emotions can get in the way. In fact, our emotions can spin out of control. This is why we do not react in anger, but we walk away. This is why we are called to slow of speech. Moreover, when you’re waiting upon the Lord, and you’re in hard times, depression can step in. David doesn’t want to go here. We should not either. Have faith and trust in the Lord!
21 May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.
22 O God, ransom Israel from all its troubles.
So, lets follow the example of this passage! Let us pour out our complaints to the Lord, lets express your confidence in him, and let’s make your petitions known to him.
When something occurs over, over, and over again in scripture we need to take notice. We need to do further examination. David says three times in this Psalm: “I will wait upon the Lord.” We find this in the following scriptures:
Verse 3: let none that wait on thee be ashamed:
Verse 5: on thee do I wait all the day.
Verse 21: for I wait on thee.
When David made the statement he is waiting with expected hope. This is different than waiting in line. This is different than waiting for the cake to be done. Waiting for an answer from the Lord means that you are waiting for God to tell you your next move. We don’t have some kind of black up plan or continucy plan. Waiting on the Lord helps us grow in our faith. Waiting on God means that we are sold out to him. Waiting on the Lord move the ball in her his court. Weigh on the Lord means that it is his turn to make a move. This means that we are not waiting on some other type of miraculous event. This is not a scary place to be it is one of the most safest place that we could be.
David says that he is watching God. His faith is in God. His answer is with God. He is waiting for someone that he trusts. When we know and have experience with God our hope and faith is built when we wait.
We know that God works in mysterious ways. What we want and expect from God may be delivered in our life in another way. Waiting on the Lord is not an easy thing. Waiting on the Lord is hard. David in Psalm 69:3 said: “I’m weary…. Waiting on my God!”
God Institute the church for a variety of reasons and the Holy Spirit is going to give us another one now. Waiting alone is often dreadful. For example, waiting alone in silence; while, the doctor gives you bad news. Isn’t it a blessing when God sends a friend to hold your hand. A friend to uplift you and strengthen you. Well, this is why we have a prayer list. While, we are waiting on the Lord, we have friends that pray for the strength and patience to wait. Praying for the burdens of others is another way God gives us the blessing. Being encouraged by others is a delight given by the Lord.
Listen, when others comes to you and expresses their weariness in waiting on the Lord; don’t chastise them. Pray with them. Pray for strength. Why should it be a surprise to us that we grow weary? David had miraculous faith in the Scriptures, but we see in Psalm 69 that David grew weary. we should never stop praying for our loved ones. We should not just give up and die. We are going to keep hoping. We are going to keep trusting in God.
