“Who is this person who fears the Lord? He will show him the way he should choose.â€
(Ps 25:12 CSB)
Psalm 25:12 is a powerful verse.
The whole psalm is very powerful. In it, David asks God to protect him from his enemies, i.e., his problems. But, he’s also very clear — to ask God for that protection and security also demands something of David.
In verses 4 and 5 he says, “Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all day long.†David shows a great understanding of a timeless principle in our relationship with God: God is the source of all our comfort, safety, well-being and provision.
But He also expects our obedience — our submission to His will.
Let Go of Your Past
However, there’s another great principle evident here. In verse 7 David requests, “Do not remember the sins of my youth or my acts of rebellion; in keeping with your faithful love, remember me because of your goodness, Lord.†David is clarifying for us the need for repentance.
God has often reminded His people He will be available to us. He will never abandon or desert us. But we can abandon Him. He says through the prophet Jeremiah, “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart†(Jeremiah 29:13). You see, the idea is this: God is there, waiting for us to return to Him, to provide all our needs, to give us that inner peace, that sense of love and security. But He cannot give that to us if we do not seek after Him with all we are.
Ask for Mercy
David’s pattern of acknowledging the Lord’s guidance, asking for His mercies, and asking for His protection repeats throughout the psalm. It’s a great reminder for us to submit to God and to His will for our lives and to realize He has a better plan for us than we have for ourselves.
And, as we turn to God in repentance and humility, we can also know we can ask for His strength and His comfort in our times of need.