Psalm 25:4-5 Mar 14, 2009

Ps 25:4-5 "Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." NIV

The power of this cry is the demonstration of humility and a teachable heart that sets David apart in his generation. Oh Lord, help us to remain teachable! So often it is the way of mankind and in particular leaders to stubbornly cling to a self sufficient independence rather than reach out for instruction. There is a false image that many people often embrace that tells us that only the weak reach out and ask for help or instruction. Think of how many jokes have been told about men and their reluctance to admit need and ask for directions while driving. This pride and independence creates so much relational division and in many cases wasted time and resources.
David displays such a wonderful example of a heart of humility. He recognizes that he has much to learn and that he doesn’t have all of the answers. What is equally exceptional about David is that he knows where his answers are found and that he is not ashamed to make it known that he is seeking for these answers. Too many of us will look for answers only in secret like Nicodemus in the gospels or by turning to the wrong sources; sources that we can control or disguise so that our image of independence is preserved. Not David, he knew where to turn and chose to set an example through his public dependence. Through his acts of humility and his cries for help he taught an entire nation that it is okay to walk in humility and it is acceptable to admit your need.
Where are the David’s of our generation?
Show me! Teach me! Guide me! This is the cry of David’s heart. This is such a reflection of what both Moses and Paul. Moses cried out to the Lord, in Ex 33:13 “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you.” Moses wanted to know God’s ways so that he could live out of a deeper relationship with the Lord. Paul also understood the riches that are revealed in a dependence upon God. In Col 2:2-3 he speaks of the riches of Christ “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” It seems that all of the truly great men of God knew that their own wisdom, their own strength were not the source of their victory or their prosperity. Each one of them understood that the path to greatness, the highway to success was to learn of God and to follow him closely.
Let our hearts cry be SHOW ME, TEACH ME, GUIDE ME just as it was for David!