When we lose someone we care about, like the loss of Doreen this week, fond memories return, but with those memories there is the pain of loss. But for Doreen there is no more pain. She no longer needs medical aid nor glasses, dentures or hearing aids. In the “Journey of Life” for Doreen, the limitations of her past mortal body are gone. It is hardest for us who remain, we deal with the feelings of loss, and other difficulties while we still remain in this mortal body.
The journey that the Psalmist recorded in Psalm 25, was one of a path of pain, instruction, reflection, and deliverance. The deliverance and comfort came not through his own determination and insight, but as being comforted and guided by God.
As we come to deal with our memories and feelings for Doreen, it is very easy to focus more on loss than gain. But the one who sustained and delivered Doreen on her journey gave her and can give you a much different perspective.
Notice the “Journey of Life” first through:
1) A Path of Pain (Psalm 25:1-3)
Psalm 25:1-3. [25:1]To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. [2]O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. [3]Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. (ESV)
As the Psalmist David begins his prayer he opens himself up to God, lifting his soul as an offering is lifted before the altar in sacrifice. At the same time, he confesses his confidence in God.
• Now is the time to open our selves up. Today we remember Doreen and acknowledge our pain and sense of loss. The answer to deal with these feelings is going to the same person that Doreen went to, God Himself. He better than anyone else knows how we feel and wants to hear from us. In this time of grief, He calls us to trust him.
The petition in verse 2, shows to whom David trusted and the reality of an enemy.
• The enemy common to us all is death. God did something about this enemy in sending His Son Jesus Christ. His death, burial and resurrection conquered the grave and His return will mean the end of death forevermore.
In verse 3 David’s previous cry to the Lord is now generalized: “Indeed, none/let no one who wait for/on You be put to shame”. At the point of crisis in the life journey of David he in essence asking if God could be trusted in a time like this or will David be ashamed for his trust. David must wait upon God.
• As Doreen went from medical difficulty to medical difficulty, she waited to be called home by God. She was ready and no doubt hopes that we will be ready as well.
Notice how the “Journey of Life” goes through:
2) A Path for Training (Psalm 25:4–5).
Psalm 25:4-5 [4]Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. [5]Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. (ESV)
The Psalmist now asks the Lord to “show,” “teach,” and “lead.” First, God must “show” ( “make known,” yāda˓) His “ways.”. Moses prayed to God “Now, therefore, … if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You” (Ex. 33:13).
• As Doreen spent her life on the path of knowing God, she now knows Him like never before. But this way of knowing Him seems unnatural. Death indeed is. It first came as a result of rebellion against God, but it is the path in which each of us heads towards.
David prays in verse five: “Lead me in Your truth and teach me.” The word here rendered “lead” is the verb from which comes the word “way.” The way or journey of this life is one of following those who went before us.
• Doreen followed the path of Christ, whom is the way, the truth and the life. He said most distinctively, that no one goes to the Father but through Him (Jn. 14:6). Doreen believed this and desired most of all to faithfully proclaim this message not only in her life, but even in her death.
• She followed and believed like the Psalmist did here that God was her salvation. Doreen had eternal life, the moment she believed this.
The “Journey of life is one of :
3) A Path for Thought (Psalm 25:6–7)
Psalm 25:6-7 [6]Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. [7]Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! (ESV)
In a time of difficulty, David called upon the mercy of God. The word “mercy” is a plural intensive, calling upon God’s “full compassion.” David called upon God’s steadfast love/lovingkindness which is God’s covenant love. Thus in Psalm 103:17 we read “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting.”.
• We can have confidence in God at a time like this for He keeps His promises.
• We remember Doreen’s life and our time with her, God remembers His promises of mercy and full compassion for those who go to Him.
In verse seven David asks God not remember the sins of his youth.
• Doreen knew that she was not perfect, although, jokingly she said that her boys left the house perfect, so she didn’t know what happened.
• Because of her faith in Christ, God did not remember/hold against her, Doreen’s sins. Because of the steadfast love/lovingkindness, Christ died in a believer’s place, so those like Doreen, who put their faith in Christ, have the steadfast love/lovingkindness of God credited to their account.
Finally, we leave this “Journey of Life”, through:
4) A Path for Teaching(Psalm 25:8-10)
Psalm 25:8-10 [8]Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. [9]He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. [10]All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. (ESV)
God brings all of His wholeness and perfection to bear against our sin. But only the “humble” can receive it. To them God’s “way” is unfolded. He “guides” them in what is right (His “justice”) (mišpot).
The “Journey of Life” is one of celebration for Good and upright is the Lord. He instructs us in the way of what is right. He offers His steadfast love/lovingkindness.
• Doreen’s life was one of obedience to the covenant of the Lord. Her testimony is one of faith and trust. She loved the Lord with all her heart and was never ashamed to say it .
When I asked her family, what they felt was special about their mom, they expressed this “Journey of Life” was summed up by a poem. The poem, reflects upon how she was known by us, but most importantly she was known by God. Some here were her children, but most importantly she was a child of the King. In one way or another she impacted our lives, but most importantly she was personally directed by the orchestrater of all things. She provided guidance, love and so many other things, but she was most tenderly cared for by the great provider. We loved her, but she was most loved by the steadfast love of God.
• We will miss you Doreen, but for those who trust in her God, we will see her again.
