“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long…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.” (Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9)
My dear friend and sister in Christ has congestive heart failure. She delights in God’s Word, especially the psalms. So, when I first arrive to visit with her, she usually wants me to read one or two psalms, pray, and then read another psalm. Somehow, she adds a prayer for me at the end of my prayers for her and her family, because that’s just the kind of believer she is-always outwardly focused. Her desire to hear the psalms is helping me to appreciate them more. She is so wise!
In Psalm 25, David refers to the path he walks. He wants to know God’s ways and paths (v. 4). He seeks the way that is good, upright, steadfastly loving, and faithful (v. 8, 10). In each case, David also makes reference to his sin nature and need for humility. “Let me not be put to shame” (v. 1, 20). He declares that God is his salvation (v. 5) and that he is in need of God’s mercy (v. 6). “Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions” (v. 7). “He instructs sinners in the way” (v. 8) “…pardon my guilt, for it is great” (v. 11). “Guard my soul and deliver me!” (v. 20) This psalm reveals David’s heart for the Lord. “The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant” (v. 14).
We who desire to be wise must recognize that our wisdom is directly proportional to our friendship with God. How much greater is our intimacy with God, united to Christ, and having the Holy Spirit living in us, convicting, directing, and teaching us daily? David has demonstrated his wisdom and love for God in this psalm. How will we exhibit ours today?
Divine Wisdom for Daily Living by Joanne Colvin 