In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.

 I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
 No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.

 Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Saviour,
and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:1-5

There are so many things that we can put our trust in this world. The writer of this Psalm, David, was a man who could have easily put his trust the might of the worldly power of an army, or the ability to play clever politics, or the power and honour that came with being the king of Israel. He starts the Psalm, however, with a bold statement of will – that his trust will be in the Lord God. David recognises that the Lord God is greater than all that this world has, that God alone will never let us down, that God alone is trustworthy in all things.  This is especially important when we remember that the corona virus is in God’s hands.  What we all need above all else is his mercy upon our world.

We may know the shame or failure of this world, for a time, but belonging to God –trusting in Him – means that we will never know true shame, because our very selves are protected here and now in His great might. Ultimately, those who hide themselves in God will be kept safe in Him, the one who is eternal and will outlast all else in this world. Our permanent and true home is not in this world, but in the one to come.

Do you see the heart of David revealed here? He was by no means a perfect man, but we see here his great heart-longing to truly be a man of God, and to walk in God’s ways. He submits himself to God and is willing to walk in God’s ways, not his own – he knows his own wisdom is so fragile in comparison with God’s all-knowing, all-understanding and all-loving wisdom.

He recognises God as the one who has saved him – he doesn’t trust in his own strengths but knows God is the one who rescues us by His grace. David knows his shortcomings before God. He knows that he has no other hope and will have no other hope than God in whatever is still to come.

Living this side of the cross, we have so much more reason to trust in God. He has shown his love for us at the great cost of his son Jesus’ death for us. He has shown his triumph over sin and death by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. He has given us his Holy Spirit to change our hearts, convict us of his truth and help us see and walk his paths.

Where is your hope? Where is your trust? Where is your heart’s home?

Grow Deeper

Read Psalm 25.

What pattern is repeated in vs 6&7, and then again in vs 8-11?

Spend a moment now considering the character of God and then your own character.

What does it mean to fear the Lord?

Look at vs 16-19. What are the things today that cause you anguish and distress? Bring them before God and ask for his mercy and graciousness towards you in them.

What will it mean for you to take refuge in God today?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father

Thank you that you have made it possible for me to return home to you. Please let my heart beat for you today.

Thank you that when I put my trust in you – when I set my heart on Christ above- it changes everything about the way I live my life here on earth. Thank you that I can trust you to care for me and my loved ones in the current crisis. Bless all who are near and dear to me with faith in Christ so that even if the worst should happen, they will be with you. Please grant me the strength and wisdom to live that truth out today, and tomorrow, and all of my days here.

Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Saviour,
and my hope is in you all day long.

In Jesus’ Name,