Show Me Your Ways
Text: Psalm 25:1-5
2 September 2018
INTRODUCTION : A NEW THEME FOR THE NEW YEAR OF MINISTRY… “SHOW ME YOUR WAYS, O LORD”
COMPELLED TO PRAY
“Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me,” Psalm 25:5
1. Previously, David was not as compelled to praying
a. He would think about things with his own understanding
b. He would decide to do what he deemed best
c. He did not pray as he should have
2. He learned about being compelled to pray
a. He prayed to the Lord to show him His ways…to teach him His paths…
to lead him in His truth
b. The ways of the Lord was with regards to different aspects of the life of David.
i. His family life
ii. His rule as King
iii. His relationships with people
iv. His enemies
3. Compelled to pray for God to reveal His specific ways
a. To pray for God to show His general aspects
“Show me Your ways, O Lord” Psalm 25:5
b. To teach us in greater detail of God’s path
“Teach me Your paths.” Psalm 25:5
c. To lead us in God’s specific truth
“Lead me in Your truth and teach me,” Psalm 25:5
CONSCIOUNESS OF OUR SINS IN PRAYER
1. The problem of sin hindered David in praying to God
a. David was affected by sin
b. He was a man of war…of blood
2. The problem of sin adversely affected him (Psalm 25:16-18)
a. David did not seek to deal with his sins
b. Undealt sins can badly affect us
i. Desolate
ii. Afflicted
iii. Distresses
iv. Affliction
v. Pain
3. Dealing with sin
a. Praying that God would not remember the sins of our youth
“Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;” Psalm 25:7
b. To seek God to pardon our many sins
“For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.” Psalm 25:11
c. To plead for God to remember His mercies and lovingkindness
“Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, for they are from of old.” Psalm 25:6
THE CHALLENGE TO APPLY OUR FAITH TO LIFE AND PRAYER
1. To be humble
“The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.” Psalm 25:9
2. To know and keep God’s word
“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.” Psalm 25:10
3. To fear the Lord
“Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.” Psalm 25:12