Love That Never Fails

84. I Trust In You

If ever there was a time we needed to look beyond ourselves and our own strength, it's now! Throughout 2020's, many have pressed on, month after month, in difficult circumstances, trying to deal with changes and challenges before them. For some, work and income have not suffered but for many across the world, there has been unexpected financial hardship due to the pandemic, wars and environmental changes leading to drought, floods, famine etc. What happens when resources run low and government assistance falls short?

In addition to this, many people are dealing with ongoing health issues after having COVID-19, others are consumed by grief after losing loved ones. In such challenging times, we need to look beyond our circumstances and our own resources, to God.

David often found himself in difficult situations and throughout the book of Psalms, we see him opening up and talking to God about whatever was troubling him. Take time to look at his honest conversation in Psalm 25 and know that at any time, you too can confide in the Lord!

"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.

Notice that David is solely putting his trust in the Lord, not the people around him. We can trust God that whatever our current enemy is, it will not triumph!

Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.

God teaches us and guides us daily as we read His Word! He also speaks through our pastor as he brings us a sermon.

Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.

Having a humble posture before the Lord is important. It allows Him to teach us. He is such a good, good Father!

All the ways of the Lord are loving
and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name,
Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.

There are positive outcomes for those who sit under the Lords teaching and make wise choices in the way they should live. God is so faithful, He wants the best for our lives and as David points out, all His ways are loving!

The Lord confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever on the Lord,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.
Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.

David keeps his eyes on the Lord and confidently asks for relief from his current circumstances. He requests that God turn to him and be gracious to him. We are so blessed because we are the recipients of God's outpouring of grace through sending Jesus!

See how numerous are my enemies
and how fiercely they hate me!
Guard my life and rescue me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope, Lord, is in you.
Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!"
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25:1-22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I love the honesty and direct nature of David's prayer. He is asking for action from the Lord in regard to his enemies and states clearly that he is taking refuge in Him. He finished by moving from the personal request to praying for deliverance for the whole nation of a Israel. Go to God often and just be honest as David was. He sees your current situation and He hears the cry of your heart!

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father,

I put all my trust in You, knowing the You are so faithful and You always keep Your Word. Thank You for this psalm which reminds me to just talk honestly with You, bringing all my concerns to You. Thank You for loving me and for Your amazing grace. I choose to take refuge in You! Please continue to guide me through the challenges in the days ahead. All my hope is in You for You are a good, good Father.

Amen.