Psalms 25; 29
Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. – Psalms 25:4-5 NLT
Where do you turn in times of trouble? David turned to God. Why? Because He knew that God would hear him and answer. He knew his God to be compassionate, kind, loving, good, upright, truthful, trustworthy, wise, and forgiving. He knew God would lead him, teach him, and show him the right path to follow. And in the end, God would save him – from whatever difficulty he found himself in. David also knew that his God was a forgiving God who, although holy and righteous, would forgive David's sins time and time again. Which is why David could pray, "For the honor of your name, O LORD, forgive my many, many sins" (Psalms 25:11 NLT). David had confidence that he could come to God with his sins, confess the, and God would forgive him – each and every time. In his times of difficulty and trouble, David knew he could come to God and call out for help. "Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. See how many enemies I have, and how viciously they hate me! Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for I trust in you" (Psalms 25:16-20 NLT).
David had no problem worshiping God because he trusted in God. He had learned the compassion and mercy of God firsthand. God had proven Himself to David time and time again. David had been in trouble before, and God had delivered. David had been in distress before, and God had answered him. David had needed direction before, and God had provided it. For David, worshiping God was like appreciating a warm jacket on a cold day. It was like experiencing a cool drink of water when dying of thirst. David had experienced the character of God firsthand. He had felt the compassion of God. He had enjoyed the forgiveness of God. He had benefited from the wisdom and direction of God. This was not some esoteric and academic understanding. It was real. It was real life. And David couldn't help but worship.
Father, may my experience of You become increasingly more real and not just academic. May I trust You more and more because I have trusted You. May I turn to You more and more because I have proven You trustworthy time and time again. May I come to You for forgiveness regularly because You always provide it faithfully. May my worship of You be based on my experience of You. You are active in my life and I am grateful. But let me express it more because I realize it more and more. May I learn to give You the honor You deserve. Amen