Psalm 25:1-7 - Where Do You God For Help?

Yesterday we learned that in Psalm 25 we come down from the mountain heights of Psalms 22-24 and go down into the valley of life where it is tough, it’s hard, it’s difficult, there are challenges. And there are enemies all around us. That’s what David was facing here in Psalm 25. He was fleeing from his rebellious son Absalom, and from the renegade army that had been deceived into turning against him. And he is looking to the Lord for help and to save him. This is a great Psalm for us to think and meditate on as we face the trials of life. The first thing we notice is that David looked up to the Lord for help! Other people may lift up their hearts to idols (Psalm 24:4) which are only manufactured substitutes for God. Idols which are but the making of man’s hands, carved out of wood and stone that can never hear or see nor save. David lifted his soul, his heart, his emotions, his mind up to the Lord, for He is the only true source of encouragement. He reaffirmed his trust in God! Earlier in one of the darkest hours of his life, when David had lost everything at Ziklag, he "encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (1 Sam. 30:6). It has well been said, "When the outlook is bleak, try the uplook." He affirmed his faith in the Lord and his desire to glorify His name. He didn't want to fail and bring disgrace to the name of the Lord. So, he waited on the Lord, worshiped, and confidently asked for His help. He desperately needed wisdom to make the right decisions, avoid the traps, and reach the goal. David not only prayed for God's guidance, he asked for insight to understand the Word; for only there could he learn God's ways and understand his own path. "Lead me in your truth" reminds us that the Word and prayer always go together (1 Sam. 12:23; John 15:7). David is referring to God's covenants with His people, the precepts and promises He gave them to keep them in His will so they could enjoy His blessing (v. 10; Deut. 27-30). David knew well the history of Israel, and that God had graciously helped them when they cried out to Him. That is why David could pray with assurance and faith. But David also prayed with contrition, confessing his sins to the Lord (vv. 7, 11). He had regrets about some of his youthful omissions of obedience or commissions of sin, and he wanted forgiveness. He prayed "for your goodness' sake" (v. 7) and "for your name's sake" (v. 11; see Psalm 23:3; 31:3; 79:9; 106:8; 109:21; 143:11). "My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:2). Sometimes as we are facing a trial or difficult situation we struggle in praying because the devil brings to our mind all the reasons we deserve to suffer, especially our past sins, wrong choices and stupid mistakes. I’m sure David must have felt the same thing in this particular trial, especially as he probably remember his sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah. Today, I pray the Lord will help you to lift up your soul to the Lord and put your trust in Him! God bless!