(25:1) Our Enemies - Seventy-two psalms-almost half the book -speak about enemies. Enemies are those who oppose not only believers but also God's way of living. We can view temptations--money, success, prestige, lust--as our enemies. But our greatest enemy is Satan. David asked God to keep his enemies from overcoming him because they opposed all that God stood for. If his enemies succeeded, David feared that many would think that living for God was futile. David did not question his own faith--he knew that God would triumph. But he didn't want his enemies' success to be an obstacle to the faith of others.

(25:4) God's Guidance - David expressed his desire for guidance. How do we receive God's guidance? The first step is to want to be guided and to realize that God's primary guidance system is in his Word, the Bible. Psalm 119 tells of the endless knowledge found in God's Word. By reading the Bible and constantly learning from it, we will gain the wisdom to perceive God's direction for our lives. We may be tempted to demand answers from God, but David simply asked for direction. When we are willing to seek God, learn from his Word, and obey his commands, then we will receive his specific guidance.

(25:8-12) Follow The Lord's Way - We are bombarded today with unlimited temptations to go our own way. Advertising on our TVs, computers, and phones places hundreds of options before us about what we should buy, how we should act, and who we should become. In addition, we are surrounded by a barrage of appeals made by political parties, false religions, and dozens of organizations to support their causes. Add to that the dozens of daily decisions we must make concerning our jobs, our families, our money, and our communities, and we become desperate for someone to show us what the best way is. If you find yourself pulled in multiple directions, remember that the Lord offers to teach you his way (25:9) and show you the path you should choose (25:4, 12).

(25:13) Fear the Lord - To fear the Lord is to recognize God for who he is- holy, almighty, righteous, pure, all knowing, all powerful, and all wise. Only when we see God correctly are we able to have a clearer picture of ourselves -sinful, weak, frail, and needy. When we recognize who God is and who we are, we will fall at his feet in humble respect. Submitting to him puts us in position to receive his direction. Only then will he show us how to choose his way.

(25:14) A Friend of God - God offers intimate and lasting friendship to those who revere him, who hold him in highest honor. What relationship could ever compare with having the Lord of all creation for a friend? Your everlasting friendship with God will grow as you respect and honor him.

(25:16-17) Failures into Victory - Do life's problems always seem to go from bad to worse? God is the only one who can reverse the downward spiral. He can take our problems and turn them into glorious victories. The first and most important step is that we, like David, must cry out, "Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me." When we are willing to do that, God will do his work in us and in our situations. God has already made his offer--the next step is yours.

(25:21) integrity - We need integrity and uprightness to preserve us along life's way. The psalm writer asks for these character qualities to protect him step-by-step. Uprightness says, "This is the Shepherd's way," and integrity says, "I will walk consistently in it"