This prayer and meditation of David's in Psalm 25 is a very personal and reflective one and has therefore put me in a similar mood. Consequently, I have not felt like doing a lot of historical `exegesis'. But to make sure I am making the correct interpretation of scripture and not leading people astray I thought I better take a quick look at my old mate Charles H Spurgeon's `Treasury of David'.
According to Charles, David is seen here as `faithful miniature, a man after God's own heart'. This psalm was probably written in David's latter years, for he mentions the `sins of his youth'. He also talks about `the great rebellion against him', which would probably be ascertained as the time of Absalom's revolt.
Charles also refers to the mood of the writer, David, as one of `prayer and meditation'. He begins with his usual prayer of exultation in his God in whom he trusts.
"O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you my God." Psalm 1:1&12 (NLT)
He then goes on to meditate on God's promises: His unfailing mercy, compassion, faithfulness and love.
"Remember O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.....remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.....The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep His covenant and obey His commands." Psalm 25:6.7&10. (NLT)
In humility David then prays a prayer of confession for his past sins, seeking forgiveness, and then with confident faith and trust he meditates on the salvation and future protection he and his people will receive from His Father God.
"May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in You. O God ransom Israel from all its troubles." Psalm 25:21&22 (NLT)
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There are many kinds of prayer - times to get together in corporate prayer and times for quiet, reflective prayer.
"But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you and pray to your Father in private. And your Father who sees everything will reward you." Matthew 6:6 (NLT)
We are also taught many ways to pray. eg ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication).
In Matthew 6 and Luke 11:2-4, we see how Jesus took the time to teach his followers and listeners to pray.
"Our Father in Heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May Your Kingdom come, may your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us today the food we need.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one." (Luke 11:2-4)
How similar this prayer was to an `older' man who was tired, stressed and unsure about his future. For David knew only one place to go - to the knees of His Heavenly Father. For most importantly `Prayer is a place to bare your soul without fear', and to `come away cleansed and comforted'.
1. Do you have a special kind of prayer that you use as a template? Why have you chosen this one?
2. What does it mean to `bare your soul without fear'? How can you feel totally `cleansed and comforted?"
SEEKING GUIDANCE IN PRAYER - Read Psalm 25:1-5
In a number of the Bible versions I have read this Psalm is titled, `A Prayer for God to Guide'. The words `TRUST' and `GUIDING IN THE TRUTH' are used a number of times. So it would be logical to comprehend that throughout our lives that God has a plan, and it is God's desire that we seek His guidance and trust Him in that plan. That's why He has given us HIS WORD!! That's why He wants us to come to Him in PRAYER!!
"Lord, tell me your ways. Show me how to live. Guide me in your truth. I trust you all day long." Psalm 25:4&5 (ICB)
3. Have you had an experience in your life when you have needed to seek guidance in a situation? Did you go to God first, seek another's advice or just go out on your own? What happened?
THE BIBLE
As a child I sat and wondered, feeling alone and scared.
I needed someone to be my friend, someone who really cared.
So I asked my Mum about it, I asked her where I could look.
She said, "Try reading the Bible".
I thought, "Now that's a strange book."
But I started from the beginning and
I read right through to the end.
I learnt that I had a BROTHER,
And He was my SAVIOUR AND FRIEND.
I never let Him leave me, I always knew He was there,
At home, at school, at work, at play, my friend was everywhere.
As I grew older I needed more, someone to guide me along.
There were paths and paths, which one do I take,
I didn't want to go wrong.
This time I asked my minister, He always had lots to say.
He said, "Try reading the Bible",
He said that would show me the way.
So I started from the beginning and
Read right through to the end
I learnt that I had a SHEPHERD,
And He was my SAVIOUR AND FRIEND.
I never let Him leave me, I always knew He was there,
At Church, at home, when studying at school,
My SHEPHERD was everywhere.
Now I've come to a mountain, how do I get across.
I need someone to take my hand, to keep me from getting lost.
This time I'll ask my father, `cause I know he really cares.
He'll probably say, "read the Bible"
`Cause I know he knows what's there.
So I'll start from the beginning and
I'll read right through to the end.
I'm sure that I'll find my FATHER,
For He is my SAVIOUR AND FRIEND.
I'll never let Him leave me, I'll always know He's there.
At work, at home, and when I'm alone,
My Father is everywhere.
Ruth Cheater
There are many directions to take and sometimes we do make the wrong choices. David did, and like him we may feel disgraced and lost. It is hard for us to forget the `causes' for we may still have the `scars'. But I have some GOOD NEWS: Jesus also has some SCARS, and because of HIS SCARS, God had forgotten the CAUSE - OUR SINS.
David knew that to seek God's forgiveness he had to confess his sins. But that was just the beginning. He also had to grasp the truth: His merciful, loving and faithful Father would also forget the `cause' and he could truly have deliverance and salvation.
"Lord, remember your mercy and love. You have shown them since long ago. Do not remember the sins and the wrong things I did when I was young. But remember to love me always, because you are a good God. The Lord is good and right and points sinners to the right way."
Psalm 25:6-8 (ICB)
"But if we confess our sins, He will forgive our sins because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done." 1 John 1:9 (NCV)
4. Is there a sin in your life that you keep remember, regretting and confessing to God? Decide today to do what God does - forgive and forget.
NO FISHING
When Jesus forgives, He forgets what I've done
And the bad things I did have now gone.
When Jesus forgives, He forgets what I've done
And the bad things I did have now gone.
`Cause He's thrown them in the
Deepest part of God's forgetful sea
Where there's a great big sign that says `No Fishing'
He's thrown them in the deepest
Part of God's forgetful sea
Where there's a great big sign that says `No Fishing'
No fishing, no fishing, no fishing.
No fishing, no fishing, no fishing.
No fishing, no fishing, no fishing, no fishing.
They're very deep in God's forgetful sea. Jennie Flack.
PRAYER FOR HIS PEOPLE AND FUTURE DELIVERANCE
Read Psalm 25:12-22; 2 Samuel 13-14; 30-31.
We've looked at this story before, so here's just a quick recap. David's daughter Tamar had been raped by her half brother Amnon, who was then killed by her brother Absalom in revenge. Sounds like an episode of Law and Order - SVU. Anyway, afraid of his father David, Absalom fled Jerusalem. Later, when David had lost the respect of his people, because of some bad choices he had made, Absalom returned, fast talked the people of Israel into siding with him against his father, and forced David out of the city.
This is where we find David. In a time of distress, calling on the Lord. He has sought forgiveness for his sins and now seeks protection, salvation and renewed hope for himself and his people. Could it have been that David was thinking about his situation at the time and it current troubles, or looking further ahead, to the future Messiah?
"God save Israel from all their troubles." Psalm 25:22 (NLT)
"We had hoped He was the Messiah, who had come to rescue Israel." Luke 24:21 (NLT)
We know that David's psalms were often prophetic, and David more than likely was looking at the future. But we can accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour NOW! We can have that renewed hope NOW! Because Jesus died and lives for us NOW!
5. Do you know anyone who needs to know the Saviour or have renewed hope in Him NOW?
CONCLUSION
David began his prayer in adoration, he sought guidance, forgiveness and salvation and he knew that the only way his kingdom would ever be returned to greatness was if its people too would follow God, pray the way he prayed and live the life he endeavored to live- in faith and trust in His Father God.
We need to pray as David prayed, for guidance in our own lives, our Church, our communities and our countries - so we too can have this same salvation and renewed hope in Christ.
*New Living Translation (NLT) 1996, Tyndale House
*International Children's Bible (ICB) 1986, Thomas Nelson.
* New Century Version (NCV) 1986, Thomas Nelson.
* "The Everything History of the Bible Book", (2006), Jeffrey Donley, F&W Publications
* "The Treasury of David" (1834)Charles H Spurgeon , Spurgeon Archive (Online)
*"Praying and Getting Results" (2001), Bob Gass, United Christian Broadcasters
*"Facing the Giants" (2006) Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson
* "In The Palm of His Hand" (1995) Ruth Cheater (Unpublished works)
* "Jibes & Vibes" (1984) Jennie Flack (CD)
