Scripture Reading: Psalm 25:1-7

Teach Me, O Lord

Intro. [Psalm 25]

1. David pleads in earnest prayer (1) for God’s forgiveness from sin (6-7 11, 18), His deliverance in the face of enemies (1-3, 20, 22), and His protection from troubles (himself and Israel, 2-3, 20).

2. 25:4-5: David wants the Lord to be his Instructor, his Mentor--

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. 25:4-5: David wanted to be thoroughly trained in--

a. God’s ways (not the ways of man, but of God), Jer. 6:16.

b. God’s paths (not sin, but righteousness), Psa. 23:3 (Tit. 2:11-12).

c. God’s truth (not error), Jno. 17:17.

4. 25:5: David would exercise the patience of faith (25:3, 21, wait).

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

I. IF WHAT WE LEARN IS TO HELP US LIVE BY FAITH, THEN…

A. We Must Acknowledge Our Sins, Psa. 25:6-8, 11.

1. The reality and the desolation our sin causes, 25:16.

a. Our sins are known to God (Psa. 69:5); we must acknowledge them to be forgiven of them, 25:18; cf. 32:5.

b. We must be poor in spirit, mournful and crushed, Matt. 5:3-4; Psa. 34:18.

B. We Must be Humble, Psa. 25:9; Matt. 11:25; Lk. 15:18-19 (18:13); 1 Cor. 8:1. Pride prevents living what we know is true.

C. We Must be Obedient to God’s Will, Psa. 25:10; Matt. 7:21.

D. We Must be Reverent before God, Psa. 25:12-14 (self-exam).

-Those who fear God have nothing else / no one else to fear, Acts 10:34-35 (Heb. 13:5-6).

E. We Must always Trust in God, Psa. 25:2-3, 15 (eyes toward Him), 20-21.

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

2. Wait patiently for God’s will to be accomplished, Heb. 6:11-12; 11:36.

II. O LORD, TEACH ME TO WAIT ON YOU.

A. To have Courage and Patient Endurance when Opposed for the Sake of Truth, Psa. 25:1-3; cf. Psa. 27:14. (God’s ways, paths and truth will be victorious over every evil, crime, error and lie.) In the face of:

1. Misrepresentations, Matt. 5:11-12.

2. False brethren, Gal. 2:4-5; Acts 20:29-32. Position, leadership, smooth and beguiling speech, etc. – Diligence is required in order to resist.

3. False teachers, 1 Jno. 4:1, 6. cf. Departures from the faith in work, worship and organ. of l. church, in morality and doctrine.

4. Worldly brethren who despise divine authority, Jude 4, 11-13. (“Do many things w/o Bible authority”; don’t need command, examples, necessary inferences...)

5. Denominational creeds and religious error, 1 Jno. 2:19 (1 Tim. 4:1-3).

B. Trust that the Way of the Gospel is Right and that Truth and Christians will be Vindicated, 25:19-20; Psa. 37:1-11 (73:1-3, 15-18, 25-28).

1. Do not be ashamed; you will rejoice one day, 1 Pet. 4:16 (13)!

2. God will right every wrong, 2 Ths. 1:4-7 (God is not mocked, Gal. 6:7-8).

Conclusion

1. Show me Your ways: Jesus did that, 1 Pet. 2:21 (1 Cor. 11:1).

2. Teach me Your paths: Jesus does that, Matt. 28:18-20 (7:13-14).

3. Lead me in Your truth: Jesus does that, Jno. 10:14, 27-29.

4. David’s prayer was answered by God because he trusted in the Lord (lived by faith), Psa. 25:2, 10 (kept His covenant).

5. Live by faith and God will answer you when you plead for His forgiveness, deliverance and protection.