Psalm 25 | Path of Mercy

Introduction | What path are we on?  

We self-sensor all the TIME! A fool gives full vent to his spirit. But intimacy means being able to be real and raw. For us to not be emotionally stopped up we need an outlet and a counselor. You do not and should not self-sensor with the Lord. When you are disheartened or discourage God is ready and able to hear your clear or even intense doubt or… You can and should bring them to God without Holding back. You can be clear, raw, and bold with God.  Knowing He can handle it AND being prepared to receive a response of both comfort and when necessary, correction. God will never leave you or forsake us so be assured God will listen, love and lead when you are seeking Him. We walk with Him and for Him on a Path of Mercy.

PART I | Path of Tension | Psalm 25:1-5

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 shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 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. - Psalm 25:1-5

Path of Tension - We start a path with tension. On the one hand we want our souls lifted and trust resting in a place of security, here David says it is to be lifted in the Lord. On the other we know there is external opposition to flourishing, there is evil seeking destruction AND our inability to remain faithful or change on our own. Before recognizing our doubt or beginning unraveling in deconstruction, maybe we ask where is our trust is and if it’s primarily in ourselves reconsider how that is working out for us. The tension begins hope because in begins with trust in the Lord. Lifted soul leads to greater trust in God. To say, “To you I lift my soul” acknowledges a soul that has been brought low, maybe even humbled, but is in need of being lifted up. There is great confidence displayed “None who wait for you shall be put to shame.” AND there is great realism in the fact there are enemies present and humiliation possible.
 
Shame or Honor – Shame in this context is more than just internal feeling we don’t want to associate with, in David’s “Honor/Shame” culture it is the public and societal being brought low. You, your actions and attitudes are not part of the society we deem appropriate so you are “put to shame” this would impact your family and your finances (business). Defeat or victory? We fear being overcome and having defeat overwhelm us. God I am worried about defeat and disgrace. I know enemies and evil are real so I fear… AND I know you’re victorious. No one who wait for you are put to shame.  There is an end of Shame there is a victory assured not going to be defeated from the enemy either externally or internally. This is a normal tension.
 
“Make me know your ways” is an admission that we know I cannot make it on my own.  "God don’t have the will or want to so you’re going to have to do it for me!!" The tension needs to be solved by us fighting harder to make it but rather surrendering to God’s leading because He is the God of my salvation.
 
Persistent Patience - Wait is to accept God’s timing over your own… This is SO hard. We want resolution now!! We want deliverance now!! We want it better now!! We can be eagerly waiting now and hoping while remaining on the path of steady patience.
 
PART II | Path of Pardon | Psalm 25:6-11

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! 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 and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. - Psalm 25:6-11

From Self- Righteousness to Humility - The path of tension can only be resolved with a necessary pardon from the Lord for our sin and a disposition of humility because of our sin. The contrast made in these verses is between God’s character and our own. To be on a path of mercy assumes you need mercy in the first place.

Who are we? Sinners from our youth, currently transgressors, and ones of great guilt. This is a holistic and realistic view of who we are, people who need a pardon, need forgiveness. The result of repentance is implied, a turning from sin, “That is who I was” and an intention to walk in a new direction even if that isn’t perfect. Remember me (is an action not just an idea) not because of who we are but because of who God is.
 
Who is God? Good and upright. God’s reputation proceeds Him and it’s the nature of the appeal for the pardon. God you know my reputation…. If you’re going pardon me it’s got to be based on your goodness and good name because it cannot be my own. This is not because we deserve God’s favor and leadership but because we desperately need it. He is one who answers our transgression with Mercy, one who meets our Guilt with Pardon, One who forgives and forgets our sins. God is good SO “therefore” He instructs sinners. This is so important on the Path of Mercy He doesn’t just leave us and forsake us to figure it out ourselves, but He instructs us on what our path should look like in a way that is Right, steadfast, faithfulness. He can pardon you and me and it doesn’t defile or defame Him it’ cleans and redeems us!!

Humility Required - We need new leadership and we need new desires too. We redirect our perspective and what/who we are focused on. Pride keeps us from learning and growing. Humility is necessary to grow.

PART III | Path of Presence | Psalm 25:13-15

Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. - Psalm 25:13-15

As we then go on the path we are not alone. We are not just pardoned sinners left to leave the confines of a prison sell only to wander aimlessly in a wilderness. As we are freed and declared not guilty, we are also welcomed and walked with an identity of innocent, with loved with intimacy and lead with intentionality.

Life Abundant/ Legacy Assured (v13) – That soul that was lifted up to the Lord dwelling with the Lord. Abide is a resting and dwelling in a place of security. We have hope because of the promise of a lasting legacy.

Friendship/Faithfulness (v14) – We walk with God as our faithful friend. Not peer or buddy but faithful counselor and confidant. It is a fellowship of shared purpose. God is faithful to His promises.

Perspective/Protection (v15) – We can have our perspective adjusted when our protection is assured. We don’t have to walk in fear because we know that God will save us if and when we stumble or are ensnared.
 
PART IV | Path of Endurance | Psalm 25:16-22

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 my sins. 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. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. - Psalm 25:15-22

We are not home… yet. While we are not left alone in the wilderness, we are still in wilderness, we are not home. The Path will not be easy, but it is able to be endured, so we are back to realistic expectations and experiences of doubt and distress. We can at times doubt God will continue with us or worry He’ll leave. Wilderness is where are, but home is where we are going. We are lonely, Afflicted, Hearts shrinking, Distress growing, still dealing with external afflictions, external opponents and internal conflicts and even ongoing sin. These hinderances are great, but our God who leads us and sustains us is greater. He will remove and/or give us the strength endure what is on the path. We will persevere because God is our refuge we will patiently endure with God as our strength. We are not alone we are loved and led.
 
Jesus in Psalm 25:

• Because Jesus enduring the path of wrath for our sin on the cross we can walk the Path Mercy. 
• Because Jesus resolved the tension of “take this cup from me” with “not my will but your will” faithfully we can be led in faithfulness and have assurance of mercy when we are not. 
• Because Jesus paid for our sin on the cross, we can be pardoned in our sin. 
• Because Jesus humbled him and endured great shame being reviled, we can live in the reality of honor. 
• Because Jesus was forsaken for us we know we will never be forsaking and be welcomed as friend.
• Because Jesus said, “It is finished!” on the cross we have assurance we will finish the path God has for us. 
• Because Jesus rose again, we can walk in new life now and have the hope of a lasting legacy for eternity. 

*Series Note: I am currently in a Masters in Applied Leadership program at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. In our Bible Survey class we are to select a chapter from our assigned weekly reading to mediate on and write a brief devotional. These blog posts are adapted from these weekly assignments.