Notes of Faith January 18, 2025
Psalm 25 for 2025
Keep His Commandments
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
Psalm 25:10
You will no doubt experience something this year that will make you wonder, “Why?” It could be painful or disruptive, or it could be just an unexpected circumstance. In any case, unplanned events always make us wonder why God has allowed them.
The psalmist David said something about God’s ways that require a second look. He said that God’s plans are mercy and truth to those who are faithful to Him—those who keep His commandments. We would assume that God’s ways are mercy and truth to everyone, not just to those who follow Him. But there is a difference between how people view God’s ways. Those who trust in Him find mercy and truth in what God allows; those who don’t trust in Him are more likely to find randomness and arbitrariness in God’s ways.
Those who walk in obedience to God can affirm Romans 8:28: God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him. Even when we don’t see mercy and truth immediately, in time we will. Prepare your heart now to trust God with what this year holds.
Obedience to God’s will is the secret of spiritual knowledge and insight.
Eric Liddell
John 14:15-16
15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.
This is the part of the Christian life that is so hard…obedience.
Rom 7:14-20
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
Admit it or not, you sin, yes because it is the nature that is within you, but, again, be honest, all too often, you choose to sin. How much pain and hurt do we bring to the heart of God. He is gracious and forgiving through His love for us in offering Jesus Christ, His only Son, to die as a sacrifice for our sin. All we must do is repent of our sin, believe in Jesus and follow Him…be obedient to His commands! Not an easy life…No one should become a Christian thinking life will be easy. God loves those who love Him and are obedient. Let us pursue a life that imitates Jesus…even when we fail…start again a fervent pursuit of righteousness!
Pastor Dale