“When the world is tossing me, like a ship upon the sea, Thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me.” — C. Tindley
Can you see the contrast between verses 8-11 and 12-15 in Psalm 25? In the first section, the psalmist describes the God who teaches us to reverentially fear Him. “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He teaches sinners in the way” (v 8). Who He is manifests itself in what He does. “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth” (v 10), so David anticipates that such a God will “Pardon [his] iniquity” (v 11). In the next section (vv 12-15), David describes the man who has learned to reverentially fear the Lord. “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him” (v 14). But also notice the contrast between the prayers at the beginning and end. Was the early prayer (vv 1-7) made in the morning, before the vexations of the day had swept across his life? But the other prayer (vv 16-22), perhaps at day’s end, is fraught with trouble. “Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted” (v 16). Sound familiar? We can lose sight of the Master in the storm. He was there all the time, of course, but the sweet assurance and calm can be swept from our souls. “The troubles of my heart have enlarged” (v 17), he says. How my problems swell up like the surf when I forget who is in charge. But it’s not only heart anguish the author feels. As H.G. Spafford wrote, “When sorrows like sea billows roll”—the problems just keep coming: “my distresses…my affliction and my pain…all my sins…my enemies” (vv 17-19). Thus he prays, “Keep my soul, and deliver me…for I put my trust in You” (v 20). Then he realizes he isn’t the only one facing life’s storms. “Redeem Israel, O God, out of all their troubles!” (v 22). If you’re struggling today, remember the Lord is standing by. And maybe you can pray for the other strugglers, too.