Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:00 — 4.1MB)
(Presented by Lisa Bishop)
The book of Psalms has often been called a book of prayer and it is rich with examples of the Psalmists’ communication with God. As a follower of Jesus, you have a relationship with God that enables you to have rich spiritual communication with him. You have the privilege of talking to God, of pouring out your heart to him, and also hearing and listening to him by the power of his Holy Spirit.
We see this pouring out in prayer in Psalm 25, a Psalm of David. David was a king of Israel and referred to as a man after God’s own heart. Throughout Psalms we see him crying out to God as he is repeatedly pursued by his enemies, lamenting of his sin, and praying in his times of deepest struggle and need. David gives us an honest look into what it sounds like to come before God in times of trouble. In this Psalm we hear the cries of his heart as he seeks counsel from the Lord and confesses his utter dependence on him.
Where do you turn when you feel desperate? Who or what do you depend on in times of trouble? Maybe you are in a tough season in your marriage, your singleness, your health, your job. Perhaps a co-worker has talked poorly about you and given you a bad reputation or you are out of work and don’t know what is next and you desperately need guidance. David reminds us where to keep our focus.
“Lord, I turn to you. My God, I trust in you. Do not let me be disgraced; do not let my enemies gloat over me. No one who waits for you will be disgraced; those who act treacherously without cause will be disgraced. Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all day long. Remember Lord, your compassion and your faithful love, for they have existed from antiquity.” (Psalm 25:1-6 HCSB).
You hear the longing, humility, and gratitude in David’s words. He begins this prayer by acknowledging God and declaring his trust in him and his character. God is trustworthy no matter what difficulties he is facing. He courageously asks God for what he needs. He desperately desires to hear from God, to know his ways and to be guided in truth. He waits on the Lord as long as it takes until he hears his voice and his direction.
I think it can be easy to forget the goodness of God. Or to pray and get impatient in the waiting. Have you forgotten the goodness of God in your time of desperation? Are you impatient as you wait on him? Someone once said, God is never late, he is rarely early, but he is always on time. Pour your heart out to him, praise him, trust him. He knows just what you need.