On Psalm 25

Summer Psalms - On Psalm 25

July 26, 2022

Pray for Illumination - Heavenly Father, help me to know your ways; teach me your paths and lead me into your truth. Amen.

Read Psalm 25

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.   Psalm 25:4

Sometimes it is hard to ask for help. At a previous job, my boss asked a more seasoned employee to work with me one day to show me how to do certain tasks better.  Unfortunately, I believed I was better at the job than this guy and at one moment when he proceeded to give me advice, I snapped back at him.  Not one of my shining moments!  Later that day, I approached him and apologized for my behavior.  He responded with words that have stuck with me to this day – “Pride is a terrible thing.”  

I learned something that day, just as these words of the Psalmist remind me that no matter how good I get at anything, or how in-control I feel about life, I need God.  Not just when I am stuck or in trouble. I need my God, my Saviour, every moment of everyday.  

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.   Psalm 25:5

The Psalmist chooses to put his pride aside for he knows that without God he has nothing.  He praises God for how he helps those in need.  He bases this on two of God’s attributes: his love and goodness. 

… according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.  Psalm 25:7 

Because he is aware of his own neediness and God’s goodness, he is then compelled to pray for God’s grace and mercy to extend to others as well:

Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!  Psalm 25:22

Ask the Lord to show you where you think you are self-sufficient in your life without him.  Ask Him to help you understand your own neediness and repent of lingering pride in your heart.   Then pray that he would also open your eyes more to his love and goodness. Invite the Lord to be your helper, guide, and Saviour - all day long! And extend this prayer for others in your church family too.