It Can Be A Lonely Time As We Draw Near To The Lord - Psalm 25

Three times in this psalm David speaks of waiting upon the Lord. For example, "None who wait for you shall be put to shame" (3), "Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long" (5), "May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you" (21).

There is nothing easy about these seasons of waiting. In this particular psalm, David has turned to the Lord from his sin, and he is comforted by several things. First, he knows that where he is now, is not where he should be. He knows that what he believes and knows now, is not what he should to know to be right and true. Therefore, several times David prays that the Lord would make known to him His ways and that He would teach him His paths (4,5,8-10,12). David knows that when he turned from his sin and trusted in the Lord that he was forgiven and pardoned from his great guilt. Therefore a season of healing and well-being can begin. (11-13)

Secondly, David knows that the Lord is present with him on this journey from where he is now to where he desires to be. David says, "Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you." (20) David also often speaks of often as to how it is the Lord who is teaching and leading him at all times. For example, "He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way." (9)

Thirdly, David knows that as he has turned from his sin and trusted in the Lord (1-2) that the Lord has become his friend, "The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant." (14) Therefore, David says in the next verse that his eyes are always upon the Lord. (15)

Yet, for all of these blessings and new realities I also see something in this psalm that I can identify with. Turning to God and away from idols can be a lonely place. Turning to God and away from sins and passions can be a lonely place. David says this in verse 16, "Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted."

There are times when we turn from the sinful comforts of this life that we will experience loneliness. We soon notice that there is a space where there once was an idol. Where there was once a sinful habit to comfort us, we have now refused to continue in it. Therefore, we can say with David, "Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted."

Oh, that in all my loneliness and afflictions I would seek the Lord's face and His grace. Oh, that I would seek to be satisfied in Him alone. May I be as aware of what the Lord is doing while I wait upon Him.as David did.

me not be put to shame,