Psalm 25 Commentary
It is said that no man is an island. But suffering can isolate you completely. You become lonely in the midst of a crowd. The saint must then look to the only source of company and help, God.
The psalmist is suffering but the suffering has brought him closer to his God. “Teach me your ways,” he says. “Guide me in your truth and teach me.”
A time of suffering can be a moment of testing. Our faith in the LORD is tested; our patience is tested. Our hopes and aspirations are exposed for what they really are. You really never get to know how attached you are to a physical object until you lose it.
The key word is trust. The LORD can be trusted. Promising mountains and delivering only molehills is a recipe for distrust. David knows the LORD is not like that. He delivers on his promises, hence the trust and consequently the confidence and the hope.
Moments of difficulties can expose weak areas of the saint’s faith. Who is God to you when times are smooth? And who is God to you when times are hard? “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me.” This is David’s reaction. There is no better time to seek guidance!
It is time for repentance, even for past sins. It is the consequence of being in the presence of God: our uncleanliness is exposed.
In moments of loneliness and affliction, anguish and distress, the saint can seek the finger of God. This psalm invites us to reflect on the nature of the LORD, God Almighty as we navigate this life. He is trustworthy. He stands ready to teach and provide guidance. This is truly great news because moments of affliction result in some insurmountable confusion and loss of direction. You simply don’t know what to do.
Prayer provides mystery and countless special moments for God’s people. It is moments like this in the presence of God that give context to the happenings in the Book of Samuel. David has come to a point of death at the hands of his enemies several times but each time the LORD provides an escape. Prayer has this kind of effect on the saint’s life. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep the faith.
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