Psalm 25

First Sunday in Advent

November 29, 2009

Psalm 25 (New International Version) Of David. 1[ a ] To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; 2 in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. 4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 6 Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD. 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. 11 For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. 12 Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. 13 He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. 14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. 15 My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. 18 Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. 19 See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! 20 Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!

Did you join the early morning crowds in the stores on Friday? Some families have that experience as part of their annual rituals, while others avoid coming anywhere near the scene. Whether you did or not, all of us have some kind of plans for the coming weeks. The approach to Christmas brings lots to do. The thought may fill you with dread or you may be looking forward to it as your favorite time of the year.

On the basis of the psalm before us, I’m going to add an activity. However, it will help us in our preparation.

BEGIN ADVENT WITH PRAYER

I. For protection

II. For forgiveness

III. For guidance

We start our prayer where David did, asking for protection. We live among dangers every day. When David was king, he faced numerous enemies, both in expanding the nation’s borders to the full area God intended for his people and in maintaining safety for the land. Also before he began ruling there was danger as Saul pursued him, seeking his life. David later encountered rebellion from his own son Absalom, who wanted to replace him as king. Such times left him down. We don’t know the particular circumstances that preceded this prayer, but we can feel his emotions. “See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!” “I am lonely and afflicted.”

You and I can identify with those feelings. We are living in a world of sin and life can be tough. There are natural happenings like sickness and accidents. We meet failure in our endeavors, whether in matters of love or work or competitions in sports or the arts. Dangers surround us. There are nasty people and opponents of our faith. We face spiritual challenges as Satan and his helpers bring constant temptations to sin and seek to disturb the bond of faith we enjoy with our fellow believers.

To deal with any of these conditions David leads us to the right source. He began, “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; In you I trust, O my God.” The name “God” reminds us of His power. He is able to help us with anything, for He is almighty. “LORD” in all capital letters is the name God used when making promises, reminding us of His free and faithful grace. He promises to hear our pleas and to help us in every need.

David asked that he not be put to shame. If he turned matters over to the Lord but God did not deliver, he would become a laughingstock to his enemies. They would poke fun: “See what good it does to pray to your God! He gives no help. He’s a nobody.” That’s not a problem with our true God. “No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame.” He delivers on His promises. He hears His children who come to Him. In fact, He knows our needs before we get around to asking Him. He always answers in the best way. We can trust Him implicitly. We take refuge in Him, the psalm repeated. We find safety and security in the Lord. He keeps away much trouble that could befall us. He rescues us when it does strike. He uses the troubles that enter our lives for a good purpose. I’m sure you can recount such experiences. They will continue, because God doesn’t change His ways. Therefore pray in this Advent season with confidence.

II.

This useful prayer of King David leads us to pray for another vital need: for forgiveness. Sins fill our lives. In particular, David prayed, “Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways.” Young people are not the only sinners—not by a long shot—but they may rush without thinking into actions that are displeasing to God. In their passionate zest for life they may seize the moment, not considering God’s will. They can be rebellious and defiant, with a “devil may care” attitude. Some may “sow their wild oats” when the hormones are raging. They can yield to intemperance. And sadly, some people never seem to grow up: they continue those youthful indiscretions throughout most of their lives.

Many of us tend to think back and reflect on those times as we age. Then we are filled with regrets at past behavior. Again David leads us in the right direction. With him we come to the Lord in humble repentance. We admit what we have done and what those sins have deserved, namely, eternal punishment. We claim no merit before God. We seek His mercy or pity on our lowly condition as we suffer some of the consequences that sin brings into our lives.

This season may actually add to our pile of sins. As the days progress and the list of items to do doesn’t seem to shrink, we get tense and irritable. Our short temper may take it out on those closest to us, the ones with whom we really want to enjoy the season. We cut corners on our schedules to get everything done, and one of the items that is neglected may be our time with God’s Word. More opportunities for worship exist, but they may be used less. Our greed grows as we see the ads and dream of what we want or hope to receive. We slip into overindulgence in food and drink. As we come before our Lord in prayer we confess also those sins that are part of this season.

Yet as much as sin is present, so much the more grace fills our lives. David’s prayer noted God’s mercy and love. We have not deserved even a warm glance from our heavenly Father. Yet we enjoy the lasting embrace of His love. He forgives every single sin that we have ever committed. He did so in Jesus. That’s why God’s Son came to our earth. The wood of the manger held the baby Jesus. The wood of the cross held the adult Jesus as He suffered and died for the sins of the world. He won forgiveness for all and gives to believers the joy and peace of knowing what He has done.

David prayed, “For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.” God’s reputation was at stake. David held Him to His Word. He promised to forgive us and He has carried it out. Jesus paid the price when He suffered and died. Go to Him to receive that pardon. Know that the burden has been lifted. That good news gives us joy in this season. We know what Jesus came to do and what He has accomplished.

III.

Forgiveness received results in another part of our Advent prayer. We pray for guidance. We respond to Christ’s forgiving grace. We just celebrated Thanksgiving. As we sit with our families around our loaded tables on that holiday we tend to recount God’s material blessings. It is proper to thank the source of all that we have. But we have greater gifts in God’s spiritual favors: forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven. We say and sing His praise. We also live our thanks as we serve and obey God’s ways.

The psalm reflects our desire. “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” David also recognized, “Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.” The Lord makes known His will of what is right and wrong. The Law outlines God’s standards as it identifies the difference between the two. Spurred by His Gospel love we want to follow the right ways. We do not regard it as a burden or drudgery but as a joy and a privilege. The Holy Spirit empowers a life of godly living, not to seek salvation by our works but to thank the Lord who has provided salvation for us.

This time of the year gives us excellent opportunities to apply His instruction and follow His guidance. It is a time to give glory to God. Make His Word and worship with your fellow believers a priority, both on the weekends and in our special services of Advent and Christmas. Lead your family in devotions at home. Put that Word into practice as you follow God’s ways of upright living. Fight sin’s attractions. Do what is pleasing to God.

Part of serving Him is showing love for others. Doesn’t this season lead you to think of more than yourself? There is all the sharing of gifts that we do, with a special focus on those less fortunate than ourselves. As winter sets in we can help the needy with warm clothes and shelter, utilities and food. Charitable giving increases during these weeks, and I hope it is not just to obtain the tax deduction before the year ends.

Concern for others was expressed in the closing verse of the psalm. “Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!” Prayer is not a time for selfishness. We intercede for others regularly. David asked that God redeem His people. He was concerned foremost for their souls and that they had faith in the coming Savior. He asked for deliverance from all troubles, which happens when God takes us to heaven. We join in such a petition for everyone.

So spending time in prayer is another activity, yes, but it is not adding a burden to an already filled list of duties. We find it a joyful privilege to talk to the One whose coming we prepare to celebrate. As He answers our prayers with protection and forgiveness we will find that we are calm and assured and eager to follow His guidance. We will then look forward to the coming holiday season as an opportunity to celebrate the goodness of our God. Don’t merely begin Advent with prayer. Make it a vital part of each day.