1.  David pleas for God’s forgiveness from sin, His deliverance in the  face of enemies, & His protection from troubles (himself & Israel).

2.  v. 4-5 - David wants the Lord to be his instructor, his professor:

  a.  Show me -- Set the example for me to follow.

  b.  Teach me -- Give me instruction that I may obtain knowledge.

  c.  Lead me -- Go before me and show me the way.

3.  v. 4-5 - David wanted to be thoroughly trained in God’s:

  a.  Ways (not the ways of man but of God) - Jer. 6:16.

  b.  Paths (not of sin, but of righteousness) - Psa. 23:3 (Rom. 6:13).

  c.  Truth (not error) - Jno. 17:17.

4.  v. 5 - He would exercise the patience of faith (v. 1-2, 21).

5.  Jno. 6:44-45; Heb. 8:33-34; Matt. 11:28-29 - Learning from Christ will bring us forgiveness, deliverance & protection -- If we live by faith! (1 Jno. 5:4)

I. IF WHAT WE LEARN IS TO BE OF ANY HELP TO US, WE MUST:

  A.  Acknowledge Our Sins - Psa. 25:8, 11.

    1.  Psa. 25:16 - The reality & the desolation of our sin.

    2.  Matt. 5:3-4 - Poor in spirit, mournful.

  B.  Be Humble - Psa. 25:9; Matt. 11:25; Lk. 15:18-19 (18:13); 1 Cor. 8:1.

  C.  Be Obedient To God’s Will - Psa. 25:10; Matt. 7:21.

  D.  Be Reverent Before God - Psa. 25:12-14 (self-examination).

        -Those who fear God have nothing else to fear! - Acts 10:34-35.

  E.  Always Trust In God - Psa. 25:2-3, 15, 20-21.

    1.  Have faith in God, not in ourselves - 1 Cor. 1:20-21; Rom. 12:16.

    2.  Wait patiently for God’s will to be accomplished.

II.  O LORD, TEACH ME TO WAIT ON YOU.

  A.  Courage & Patient Endurance When Opposed For The Truth’s Sake - Psa. 25:1-3. -(God’s ways, paths & truth will be victorious over every evil, crime, error & lie.) In the face of:

    1.  Misrepresentations (Matt. 5:11-12 - cf. "Starr's Church of Christ," by H John Rogers article.  For response, see "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" by Larry Ray Hafley - Both appeared in The Watchman Magazine, Janaury, 1999).

    2.  False brethren - Gal. 2:4-5; Acts 20:29-32 - Position, leadership, smooth & beguiling speech, etc.--Diligence demanded to resist!

    3.  False teachers - 1 Jno. 4:1, 6. Departures from the faith in work, worship, morality, doctrine.

    4.  Worldly brethren who despise divine authority - Jude 4, 11-13. ("We do many things without Bible authority."  cf. Col. 3:17)

    5.  Denominational creeds & error - 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 1 Jno. 2:19.

  B.  Trust That The Way Of The Gospel Is Right & That Truth & Christians Will Be Vindicated - Psa. 37:1-6; 73:1-3, 15-18, 25-28.

    1.  1 Pet. 4:16 - Don’t be ashamed - will rejoice one day (v. 13)!