Sometimes life’s circumstances knock us flat to the ground. Maybe we try to do the right thing but fail miserably. This may have been the psalmist’s experience, when he found himself clinging to the dust (25a) explaining himself to God (26a). Thank God He listens and answers! The man felt greatly diminished as a person and sorrowful, perhaps over some sin or serious mistake (28a). Perhaps he bought into some lie that he foolishly acted upon (29a). Whatever this man’s experience was that caused him to pray like this, I can certainly identify with him because of certain bad choices I have made in the past, after which I, too, felt knocked down and spiritually drained. I, too, have prayed for the reviving of my soul that could only come from God’s word (25b). I wanted God to teach me so I wouldn’t make the same mistake again (26b, 29b). I have often prayed , “MAKE ME UNDERSTAND Your way” (27), because my way certainly wasn’t the best way. The key to spiritual progress, I believe, is to be teachable (26b, 29b). Only as I have learned God’s way from his word that he graciously taught me (and continues to teach me) can I say “I have chosen the way of faithfulness,” with God’s word set before me (30). I now cling to his testimonies (31), for they give me life. From God’s words I get the energy to “run in the way of [his] commandments” (32a). I still get tired and can barely walk sometimes, but I pray for an enlarged heart (32b), a good thing in the spiritual realm, if not in the physical.
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