SHOW ME, TEACH ME, LEAD ME

(Psalm 25:4-5)

Mike Johnson

Palm 25 is a Psalm of repentance.  The psalmist humbly expresses a desire for God’s forgiveness and wants direction from Him.  In verses 4-5, he appeals to God by saying, “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.  Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.”  The psalmist, thought to be David, wants God to show him, teach him, and lead him in His ways, paths, and truth.  These verses express the same basic concept in different ways and illustrate how David was always ready and willing to learn God’s will.

With these verses, it is also essential to recognize what David did not say.  To God, he said, “Show me Your Ways.”  He did not say, “Show me the ways of men” (Jn. 14:6, Acts 18:26).  Next, he said, “teach me Your paths.”  He did not say, “Show me the paths of sin,” as he wanted to be shown the paths of righteousness (Jn. 8:12, Eph. 5:8, I Jn. 1:7).  Finally, he said, “Lead me in Your truth.”  David did not want guidance in the ways of error (Is.  28:29; Ps. 31:3, 32:8).  Sadly, many people say they want God to lead them, but, in reality, they only want to be “led” if the path is where they desire to go.

If we want God to show, teach, and lead us, it is essential to be humble (Mt. 18:3).  In Psalm 25, verse 9 says, “The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.” We must also hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt. 5:6) and seek the kingdom of God first (Mt. 6:33).

Do you want God to show, teach, and lead you in His Way?  People demonstrate this desire when they study the Scriptures regularly, attend services, carefully listen to any teaching, and follow the pattern found in God’s Word.