Psalm 25 is written in the midst of a very difficult circumstance, which makes this psalm a remarkable example of faith at work. There are two things that faith does in this psalm that we should note and apply when we face the inevitable challenges of life. First, the psalmist leans into God and entrusts his concerns to him. This is expressed at the outset in the psalmist’s declaration: “No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame.” This statement is a gesture of faith in God’s promises. With the weight of his concerns in the hands of God the psalmist then focuses on what we should always focus on: doing the right thing in every situation. We can’t control the forces around us, nor can we control our own destiny. Only God can do that, and this is God’s prerogative. We can, however, determine how we will respond to every circumstance. This is our responsibility. In each circumstance we must be very clear about what is our responsibility and what is God’s prerogative. If we try to force circumstances to suit ourselves, we thereby take over God’s prerogative and, in doing so, we often neglect our responsibility. Reflect on Psalm 25 and take note of what the psalmist does and what he focuses on. See how he focuses on God’s purpose and doing what is right, even though the circumstances may have lured him into a mode of desperate control orientation and wrongdoing. Trust God with your problems and focus on doing the right thing. This is the key to moving ahead.
Bring your concerns to God and ask him to help you to do the right thing in your most challenging circumstance.
Read Psalm 25.
