“WALKING WITH GOD #1-REQUIREMENTS FOR A REMARKABLE WALK”
PSALM 25
INTRO: I truly believe it is the desire of every true believer in the Lord Jesus
Christ to enjoy an intimate and incredible walk with the Lord. Many
times we look at someone else’s walk with God and we begin to
question, “Is my walk with God adequate?” “Why does my walk differ
from his walk?” “What if God speaks differently to me than he does to
this other person?” Friends, let me say this morning that it is a
mistake for us to compare our walk with God to someone else’s walk
with God. Why? Because each individual believer’s walk with God is
unique and personal. Many times we hear testimonies of zealous
believers bragging about their closeness to God. It is then we start
making these comparisons as to the level of our spirituality and
commitment. But Paul warned us in 2 Corinthians 10:12—“For we
dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with
some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by
themselves, and comparing themselves amongthemselves, are not
wise.”
Friends, I can assure you today that there is not one person on this
earth that has perfected their relationship with God. I can also tell
you with confidence this morning that no two relationships with God
look the same. Friend, just because your relationship with God does
not look like someone else’s that does not mean you are unspiritual.
This morning we will be looking at Psalm 25. This Psalm of David
gives us some good principles from David’s relationship with God that
can help our walk with God be remarkable. David, the man after
God’s own heart, had highs and lows. Many of the Psalms written by
David are about those highs and lows and they help explain David’s
relationship with God. I want to speak on the subject
REQUIREMENTS FOR A REMARKABLE WALK. What are some things
that must be present in our lives if we are going to enjoy a remarkable
walk with God. Let us see that a remarkable walk requires that…
(1) COMMUNICATION MUST BE TWO-WAY
PSALM 25:1; 8-9—“Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul…Good and
upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners inthe way. The
meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his
way.”
A. OUR DEPENDENCE ON GOD. The first four words of this Psalm are “Unto
thee, O LORD…” Here David is speaking to God. Communication is more
than talking but it is also listening. In this Psalm personal pronouns are
used 28 times. It is interesting to note that in vv. 1-7 and 15-22 we see 27
of these occurrences but in vv. 8-14 only one occurrence. What does this
mean? It seems like to me that vv. 1-7 and 15-22 that David is talking to
God. And it seems possible that in vv. 8-14 God is talking to David.
Consider David’s situation. David is lonely and struggling. So in vv. 1-7 he
pours out his heart to God and tells Him how he is feeling. Then in vv. 8-
14 God answers David. God encourages David by reminding him of His
leadership (vv. 8-9) and love (vv. 10, 12-14). David in v11, convicted of
hissin, asks God to forgive him. Friends, if we are going to have a
remarkable walk with God then we must learn not only to pour our hearts
out to God but also we must learn how to listen to God. David talks to God
and he knows that God is listening. God talks to David and David listens.
B. OUR DELIGHT IN GOD. David speaks again in v15 but this time his tone
is different. In the first seven verses David sounds overwhelmed and God
answers him in vv. 8-14. Now in v15 he states—“Mine eyes are ever
toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feetout of the net.” Friends, David
sees hope. He has poured out his heart before the Lord and God has
listened and responded. David heard God’s response and now he has hope!
His troubles have not gone away, but God has given him hope. What
caused David’s hope to brighten? David delighted himself in the Lord.
David encourages us in Psalm 37:4-5—“Delight thyself also in the LORD:
and he shall give thee the desiresof thine heart. Commit thy way unto the
LORD; trust also in him; and he shallbring it to pass.” Friends, if we are
going to enjoy a remarkable walk with God we must delight ourselves in the
Lord! The words “Delight thyself also in the LORD…” mean “Expect all thy
happiness fromhim, and seek it in him.”(CLARKE’S COMMENTARY OT, VOLUME 3
JOB - SONG OF SOLOMONby Adam Clarke. The Master Christian Library. Version 5. Copyright 1997.
AGES Software. Albany, OR).
It is evident that God listens to David and tells him what he needs to hear
in vv. 8-14. In vv. 15-ff, it is clear that David listens to God and now has
been given hope. Friends, a relationship with God requires two-way
communication—both talking and listening.
One of the REQUIREMENTS OF A REMARKABLE WALK is that COMMUNICATION MUST BE TWO-WAY and also there must be a…
(2) COMMITMENT TO TIME
PSALM 25:4-5—“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead
me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation;
on thee do I wait all the day.”
A. THE WILLINGNESS. Listen to David’s words here—“Shew me thy
ways…teach me thy paths,” “Lead me in thy truth, and teach…on thee do I
wait all the day.” One thing you cannot learn by reading this Psalm is how
much time David put into it. This is an acrostic Psalm. That means that in
the Hebrew each verse begins with the successive letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. Knowing that, it is safe to say, that this Psalm was not written in
just a few minutes. I know God gave these words to David but I truly
believe that David prayed over every word he penned. You cannot read the
psalms of David and not realize that David had a strong relationship with
God. David loved God. He knew God. He spent much time with God. He
was willing for God to shew him, lead him, and teach him. Friends, we
need to have the same willingness for the Lord also. It takes time.
B. THE WAITING. David said in v5—“On thee do I wait all the day.” Friends,
a relationship with God cannot be developed overnight. It takes time. YOU
must share your burdens, hopes, aspiration, and dreams with God. YOU
must listen as God shares His plans for you with you. Jesus said it this
way in Matthew 6:33—“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and allthese things shall be added unto you.” This
relationship is not like a safety net we pull out when we don’t know what
else to do. We are to walk with God 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and
52 weeks a year. Waiting on the Lord benefits us greatly! We find:
- STRENGTH(ISAIAH 40:29-31).
- SUPPLY
- SATISFACTION
We tend to reverse the order of things. We want to get the “all these things
shall be added unto you” that Jesus spoke about and then we tell the Lord
we will seek Him if we have any time left over at the end of the day.
Friends, that is backwards and it does not work. Friends, we are to seek
God first, allow Him to direct our paths and He will lead us in the right way.
He will never let us down. We MUST take the time. WE cannot afford not
to!
The REQUIREMENTS FOR A REMARKABLE WALK are that COMMUNICATION MUST BE TWO-WAY, there must be a COMMITMENT TO TIME and lastly, we must be…
(3) COMPELLED BY TRUST
PSALM 25:20-21—“O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be
ashamed; for I putmy trust in thee. Let integrity and uprightness
preserve me; for I wait on thee.”
A. TRUST BRINGS ASSURANCE. David poured his heart to God and God
gave David the answer he needed. Friends, the Lord wants us to trust Him.
He wants a personal and unique relationship with you and I. There is no
other relationship like this one we have with the Lord! David said in v21—
“O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in
thee.” David’s confidence was in the Lord. His dependence was upon Him
and his desire was toward Him.
B. TRUST BRINGS AGREEMENT. David said in v21—“Let integrity and
uprightness preserve me: for I wait on thee.” When we trust in the Lord and
walk a REMARKABLE WALK we agree with Him on His plans for us and
follow Him with patience even though we may not at all times know why He
is leading us a particular way. I think that I can safely say this morning
that if we placed our walks with God beside Scripture we will find that we
all fall short in many ways. Is there anyone here today that has a perfect
relationship with God? I don’t think so. David didn’t either. Abraham
didn’t. Moses didn’t. Elijah didn’t. Paul didn’t. Isaiah didn’t. And you
read the accounts of these men’s lives you would see that their spiritual
journeys were all different compared to each other. God spoke to them
in various ways. They all had difficulties and struggles in different areas.
They all failed the Lord in different areas of their lives. But one thing is
certain…they all knew God, trusted God, and God did many mighty and
wonderful things through their lives!
Friends, we are no different. God calls each of us with a personal and
unique call. He gives us unique gifts. He communicates with us in a
personal way. Even though your spiritual journey may be different from
mine that does not mean you are not unspiritual. Our standard is not each
other but our standard for our walk is the SCRIPTURE!
CLOSING: What are the REQUIREMENTS FOR A REMARKABLE WALK?
COMMUNICATION MUST BE TWO-WAY, there must be a
COMMITMENT TO TIME, and we must be COMPELLED BY TRUST.
A REMARKABLE WALK with God follows the standard of the
Scripture. Friends, I am not your standard. Neither is any brother
or sister in Christ your standard. You want to know what a
REMARKABLE WALK looks like then look at Jesus! In Matthew
22, Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was. Jesus
said in v37—“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” That is our
standard! Friend, do you love the Lord with all your heart, soul,
and mind? Or do you just go through the motions through the
week and on Sunday hope you get enough Jesus to take away your
guilt? Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life?
I want everyone to close their eyes this morning. Think about your
walk with God, friend. Can you honestly say to the Lord, “I love
you with all my heart, soul, and mind?” All of us fall short. But
now is the time to make it right. Will you commit your life to Christ
so you can enjoy a REMARKABLE WALK?
PREPARED BY BROTHER BRYAN L. BROWNING, PASTOR OF BEECHMONT BAPTIST CHURCH, BEECHMONT, KY FOR SUNDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 23, 2008.