Exodus 4-6, Psalm 25, Matthew 11:1-19, Acts 16:1-15

Psalm 25:

David lifts up his soul; that is, he trusts in God, asking that his enemies would not triumph over him. Perhaps you need to do that this morning. Perhaps you are surrounded by enemies seeking to prevent you from following God. Would you lift up your soul to God to ask him for refuge today? Be confident: “none who wait for [God] shall be put to shame”!

But lifting up our soul to God does not mean only a cry to God for help. It also means asking God to teach us his paths, verse 4. A follower of God is a learner from God. A person who longs for God longs to be taught by God. Would you this morning find time to study the Bible?

Sometimes the guilt of our past comes back to plague us. The way we acted as a child. “The sins of my youth” haunt us. Ask God this morning to remember not those sins, that is to forgive them, because of his “steadfast love,” verse 7.

God is a God who has promised to save those who trust in him. Trust in him, and you will be saved! How can this be, given that God is holy? Note David’s logic in verse 8: “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.” The goodness and righteousness of God is shown in no higher place than his commitment to teach sinners his way, to rescue them and bring them closer to him. Such is the goodness and righteousness of God! Such is the love of God!

This does not make God a play-thing, a push-over, a giant Santa Claus in the sky. He is to be feared. Yet fearing God is not the same as running scared from God. Beautiful truth, verse 14: “The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him.” Do you fear God? Do you sense that your friendship with God is growing or waning? Fear God and you will find that his friendship is with you.

The psalm concludes with a repetition of the cry for God, “Guard [his] soul.” Perhaps you are plagued by temptations this morning. Ask God to guard your soul. Therein lies the refuge that you need.