Show Me Your Way, Lord

SHOW ME YOUR WAY, LORD (Outline)

March 12, 2023 – Lent 3 – PSALM 25:4-11

INTRO.: Learning takes concentration. We also need a certain willingness if we expect to be taught. May the Lord grant us willingness and concentration as we come before him to learn about his way. "Many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the Mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths’" (MICAH 4:2). Today’s text teaches us about God’s path. SHOW ME WAY, LORD. I. Make me walk in truth. II. Remember your mercy.

I. MAKE ME WALK IN TRUTH.

A. Psalm 25 is a Psalm of David. David was a shepherd. God chose this shepherd boy to become king.

1. Verse 4. David asked the Lord to reveal his ways. “Teach me your paths.”

2. Verse 5. “Make me walk in your truth and teach me”. Only the Lord could do this. And would.

B. Verse 8. The Lord is good. The Lord instructs sinners in the right way. People often go wrong way.

1. Verse 9. The Lord gives direction to the humble. The Lord also teaches the humble.

2. David recognized his own sinfulness. Only the Lord would reveal what is good, right.

C. Verse 10. “All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth”. Not few…some…many. ALL ways truth.

D. God’s truth is the truth. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Truth in our world today is described as relative truth. This means: Truth for one person is his/her own truth. My truth might be far different than his/her truth. Therefore, truth is relative to the person who states that truth. Most people today like to say there is no absolute truth. Of course, such a statement is really an absolute truth, isn’t it. Some want to change God’s truth. Dismiss it. Deny God’s truth. They cannot change God’s truth. "’You are a king then?’ Pilate asked. Jesus answered, ‘I am, as you say, a king. For this reason, I was born, and for this reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice’" (JOHN 18:37). Jesus testified to his Father’s truth. By his teachings. With his actions. Rejoice that our gracious God has given us the faith to hear God’s voice. Recognize and believe his Truth.

E. Truth is the key to our Christian faith. Truth divides. Some will take their stand on the wrong side of truth. Others will stand on the right side of truth. There really is no middle ground when it comes to truth. Especially God’s truth. How sad today that so many would rather follow the father of lies, Satan. The devil only, always speaks falsely. He tempts us with doubts about life. Forgiveness. Satan wants us to challenge God’s will for our lives. The devil uses all the attractions of this life to try and distract us from the one thing needful. Our sinful flesh desires to walk down the broad path of destruction. Show me your way, Lord. "Now, LORD God, you are God. Your words are truth. You have promised this good thing to your servant" (2 SAMUEL 7:28). MAKE ME walk in your truth.

F. Satan tries to disguise God’s clear truth. The world tempts us to focus on earthly things. Our sinful flesh is all too eager to follow so many distractions. The world wants us to compare. When we compare we will often despair. Our earthly life is not a competition of keeping up with our fellow human beings. Look around. Pay attention. Note the huge difference between the people of the world and the children of the Lord. Do we really want to be like them? Many do not care about controlling their tongue. They have little or no love for others. They deny the truth. We are also sinners. But we also know the truth. “If we say we have fellowship with him but still walk in darkness, we are lying and do not put the truth into practice" (1 JOHN 1:6). Show me your ways, O Lord. MAKE ME walk in your truth.

SHOW ME YOUR WAY, LORD. Make me walk in your truth.

II. REMEMBER YOUR MERCY.

A. Verse 5. “Make me walk”. David knew that only God’s power could change his sin-filled walk.

1. “In you I hope all day long”. The Lord was the only place for the hope of any/every sinner.

2. Verse 6. Sinners need the mercy and compassion of the Lord. Forgiveness: Free and full.

B. Verse 7. “Do not remember the sins…” God’s merciful forgiveness did not keep a record of sins.

1. God’s path and his ways are filled with truth and mercy.