To say we are in an interesting time in history is an understatement. I often wonder how many people are writing journals and documenting experiences from a personal level as well as local, state, national and international perspective. Every day the news is full of stories of life and death, triumph and failure and it all revolves around COVID-19 (Coronavirus). We have questions about our health, job, finances. We wonder when we will be able to see our family, friends and even neighbors. If you weren’t living through this right now, it would be hard to believe some of the trials.
Personally, I haven’t been able to find toilet paper, flour, or rice at a grocery store for over a month. Stay Home, Stay Safe initiatives and Shelter in Place mandates have left us with questions and concerns. When will this end? When will we be able to resume our normal daily activities? When will we be back to work? When will groceries be easier to find? What about school? So many questions and quite frankly nobody has a definitive answer because nobody really knows how quickly this virus is going to spread.
But here is what I do know – God is in control. He isn’t surprised by what is occurring in the world today. He also isn’t surprised by our reaction to this global pandemic.
Today in Psalm 25 we see that David is praying for protection and forgiveness. Let’s look at a few of the verses and then we will unpack it a bit.
O LORD, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! ~Psalm 25:1
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD. ~Psalm 25:4-7
The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. For the honor of your name, O LORD, forgive my many, many sins. ~Psalm 25:10-11
My eyes are always on the LORD, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies. Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. ~Psalm 25:15-18
David recognized his reliance on God for protection from his enemies. He also acknowledged his shortcomings (sins) for which he asks forgiveness. The piece that really stands out to me is the amount of time David takes to honor and extol the greatness of the Lord. It makes the fear of his enemy pale in comparison to the greatness of our God.
Today we are facing an enemy that we can’t see or hear. It is an invisible enemy that is moving throughout our communities and sneaking into our homes. We have the option to live in fear of this virus, or we can place our anxiety at the feet of the Lord and confess that we struggle.
Verse 1 really spoke to me as I read through Psalm 25 and it is my prayer. O LORD, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! If I am going to speak those words, do I trust the Lord enough to let go of my fear and let go of my worry? For those days and times when I am not completely trusting the Lord, may I cry out and seek his forgiveness because he loves us with unfailing love.
Thank you, Lord, for loving me conditionally. May I follow you as you teach me and lead me. Have mercy on me when I fail. You are faithful. You are worthy of all our praise. You are my rock, my shield, my protector. I give you my life and I trust in you! Amen