Daily Devotion in Psalm 25

Daily Nugget:
This Psalm is another peek into David’s prayer life. We can see how sincere, reliant, needy, and willing the king was on his Lord.

We see that:

• His prayer was not just words with no feeling and meaning. He was opening up his heart and pouring out his soul to his God — Psalm 25:1.
• His trust was on God’s help. He put his faith on the line because if God did not answer his pleas, he would look foolish to his enemies and those watching his testimony — Psalm 25:3-4, 20.
• He was willing to follow God’s direction if He made it clear to the leader — Psalm 25:4-5, 15.
• He remembered he did not get what he deserved for his mistakes and sins and wanted God to remember His past mercy to the king. He was hoping for more undeserved kindness — Psalm 25:6.
• He was trusting on his merciful God to overlook his sins — Psalm 25:7, 11, 16, 18.
• He was grateful for God’s goodness and righteousness — Psalm 25:8.
• He was often meek and did not do what the flesh wanted but did what the Lord would have him to do. He knew God had not forgotten his actions in those situations — Psalm 25:9-10, 21.
• He was respectful to God and trusting Him to teach him His ways — Psalm 25:12-14.
• He wanted God’s comfort in the situations that troubled him — Psalm 25:17, 19-20.
• He relied on God to help his nation — Psalm 25:22.

Although most of these pleas were for King David’s needs, we have similar troubles and necessities. It would help our relationship with the Lord and strengthen our faith if we too cried out for the Lord’s help and understanding, as did Israel’s king.

Today’s Thought: 
“Between the humble and contrite heart and the majesty of Heaven, there are no barriers; the only password is prayer.” — Ballou

Words to Understand:
Covenant: an agreement
Desolate: without help
Redeem: purchased by exchange, traded something for another thing
Transgress: violate God’s law

Today’s Reading:
Psalm 25
1 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 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.