READ Psalm 25:1–7. 1 In you, LORD my God, I put my trust; 2 I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. 4 Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 6 Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.
WHOSE WITS? David’s enemies are opposed to his philosophy of life. His conviction was “that a man must live by the help of God, not by his wits,” a view of life his enemies despised as naive.18 David admits that without God, the life of integrity would be no match for the self-interested, treacherous power politics of the world (verse 3). Christian integrity means leading a life of purity and celibacy if you are not married and telling the truth even when it will harm your career—things the world sees as stupid. But in the end, it is the world that will be put to shame.
Prayer: Lord, I want to live according to your Word—“your ways,” “your truth” (verses 4–5)—rather than by what will make me popular and powerful. Give me the desire and integrity to live like this. And because this will make me vulnerable, protect me from those who would take the opportunity to harm me. Amen.