December 26, 2022 - Psalm 25

On this day after Christmas it is a good thing to reflect on the things of Christmas, particularly, the One of Christmas. David lifts up his soul to the Lord (Implication that his soul is burdened, cast down, and needing to look up?). Spurgeon notes that David’s “many conflicts, his great transgressions, his bitter repentance, and his deep distresses are all here;” also, David’s great trust in the Lord is on display. Spurgeon suggests the scene is such “that we see the very heart of the man after God’s own heart.”

I find myself, this morning, wanting to quote Spurgeon at length: “Unto thee, O Lord – See how the holy soul flies to its God like a dove to its cote. When the storm-winds are out, the Lord’s vessels put about and make for their well-remembered harbour of refuge. What a mercy that the Lord will condescend to hear our cries in time of trouble, although we may have almost forgotten him in our hours of fancied prosperity.” Further, “With all our tugging and straining we have been utterly defeated, until the heavenly loadstone of our Saviour’s love has displayed its omnipotent attractions, and then our hearts have gone up to our Beloved like mounting flames of fire.”

There are those, of course, who say that such sentiments and trust are terribly misplaced, that all this is but piddle-paddle, a foolish game we play with our emotions. But those who say such things have never experienced what David and we have experienced. They cannot say, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8) But we can say so! And we do say so!

My eyes and my desire

are ever to you, Lord;

I love to plead your promises,

and rest upon your word.

With humble faith I wait

to see your face again;

I know it never shall be said

I seek the Lord in vain. -- Isaac Watts (1740)