25 Days...Psalms 25

"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.O my God, in you I trust;let me not be put to shame;let not my enemies exult over me.Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;they while be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous." -- Ps. 25:1-3

Don't you know that Anthony & I know about waiting? Man!


Waiting stinks (would have used a bit more crass word but I know I would get a disapproving comment or email from my mom).


The Jews know waiting. For centuries the waited for a Savior. A warrior like David that would smite their enemies & raise them up as kings of the world. But then Jesus came. He was not the warrior they were expecting. He was gentle. He preached forgiveness of sins, even to the Gentiles. He couldn't have been the one they waited for. He had to be an impostor! Christ's own disciples were confused after his crucifixion. Even John the Baptist questioned if Jesus was the anticipated Messiah(Matthew 11:1-6). I have a quote that I've always liked that seems appropriate for that, "How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?" - Unknown.

"Make me to know your ways, O Lord;teach me your paths.Leade me in your truth and teach me,for you are the God of my salvation;for you I wait all the day long." -- Ps. 25:4-5

The Lord has taught me so much by His Word. I love this passage. I think I will start making this my prayer, "Lord, teach me your ways. Not man's ways. Not my ways. Your ways. 'Lead me in your truth & teach me.' Close off my mind to what the world claims is true. Teach me your ways. Lead me to your truth."

"Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,for they have been from of old.Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;according to your steadfast love remember me,for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!" -- Ps. 25:6-7

The Hebrew word here where "of old" is "olam." It means "long duration" or "antiquity" but it also means "futurity." In short, it means "forever," "permanent," "everlasting," "continual." So, the Lord's love & mercy has always been & always will be. 


Speaking of waiting & patience...I am amazed at how much patience God has with me. I continually make the same mistakes, commit the same sins, whine about the most pointless stuff to Him. And what does He do? He waits patiently. He doesn't strike me down. He doesn't abandon me. He doesn't turn me into an automaton & make me do His will without a choice. No. He leads people into my life to speak truth to me. He opens my mind to understand His Word. And He waits patiently for me to finally give up my soul & come fully to him.

"Good and upright is the Lord;therefore he instructs sinners in the way.He leads the humble in what is right,and teaches the humble his way.All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love an faithfulness,for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies." -- Ps. 25:8-10

"For your name's sake, O Lord,pardon my guilt, for it is great.Who is the man who fears the Lord?Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.His should shall abide in well-being,and his offspring shall inherit the land.The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,and makes known to them his covenant.My eyes are never toward the Lord,for he will pluck my feet out of the net." -- Ps. 25:11-15

"Turn to me and be gracious to me,for I am lonely and afflicted.The troubles of my heart are enlarged;bring me out of my distresses.Consider my affliction and my trouble,and forgive all sins." -- Ps. 25:16-18

"Consider how many are my foes,and with what violent hatred they hate me.Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.May integrity and uprightness preserve me,for I wait for you." -- Ps. 25:19-21

"Redeem Israel, O God,out of all his troubles." - Ps. 25:22