David’s Confession
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. Psalm 25:7-9
Read Psalm 25:4-11
In this psalm, David acknowledged that he was a sinner. Whenever the Lord works in a person’s heart, he or she will acknowledge that he is a sinner who cannot exist before God. Even a king will not be ashamed to do this when the Lord works in his heart. In the same way, we will be ashamed of the sins we have committed and will confess them honestly to the Lord. David also did this in verse seven.
In this verse, he especially referred to the sins of his youth. Does this mean we must only be concerned with sins we committed when we were young? No, but the thought is often harboured that when we get older we will be less sinful. Just ask any of God’s children who live close to the Lord whether this is true, and they will tell you that they have not been able to improve their lives. In fact, they feel themselves a worse sinner than ever before!
In our youth sin confronts us from various angles with greater force. In this time period, we are inclined to enjoy life and try and get out of it what we can, throwing off all restraints. This can only lead to many sins and does not require any effort. However, effort is required to resist the temptations that confront you.
After he had become older, David asked the Lord not to remember the sins of his youth; when he reflected on them, he was ashamed of himself. You too must confess them again and again before the Lord, pleading His mercy. This is only possible by the grace revealed in Jesus Christ! Thought: Do you also experience that your youth is a dangerous time when you can easily fall into sin?
Psalter 415:3 (based on Psalm 25) Call to mind, O Lord Jehovah, Tender mercies manifold, And Thy store of lovingkindness Which has ever been of old. Sins of youth remember not, Nor recall my hid’ transgression; For Thy goodness’ sake, O God, Think of me in Thy compassion.