Me, Myself, And I
Rev. J. Loren Russell
Scripture Reading: Psalm 25:1–11 (NKJV)
“To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;
Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.”
Most people—whether believers or not—know about King David. Many are familiar with the story of David and Goliath, and some recognize the songs, or psalms, he wrote—most notably the beloved 23rd Psalm. Others may recall the account of David and Bathsheba.
What is less commonly discussed, however, are the sins David committed. In this psalm, we encounter not a triumphant king, but a humble servant offering a heartfelt plea for deliverance and openly confessing his past wrongs. David does not shift blame or make excuses. He takes full responsibility—these are his sins, and his alone.
The opening verses are filled with deeply personal language—“I,” “me,” and “my”—as David cries out for guidance. He asks the Lord to show him the way, to teach him truth, and to lead him in righteousness. This is not a distant or detached prayer; it is intimate, vulnerable, and sincere.
Yet this passage offers more than an admission of guilt—it reveals true confession. To confess is not merely to acknowledge wrongdoing, but to agree with God about it. God declares, “You have done wrong,” and David responds, “I agree. I have done wrong.”
Scripture reminds us in Proverbs 28:13: “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” This truth helps us understand why David was described as a man after God’s own heart and chosen to lead Israel. His greatness was not in perfection, but in his willingness to repent.
While we may never wear a crown as David did, we are offered something just as powerful—the promise of forgiveness. As it is written in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Confession is deeply personal. It cannot be done on behalf of another. It requires honesty, humility, and ownership. It involves “me, myself, and I” standing before God without pretense.
David’s example teaches us that God does not seek perfection—He seeks sincerity. When we come before Him with open hearts and a willingness to change, we find mercy, grace, and restoration.
So today, take a moment to reflect. What burdens are you carrying? What truths have you been avoiding? Like David, lift up your soul to the Lord and trust in His mercy.
Because in the end, it is not our past that defines us—it is God’s grace that redeems us.
Be Blessed.
Rev. J. Loren Russell is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God and an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church, both in the Bronx, NY. He is the President/CEO of The JLR Company and J Loren R Consulting, LLC, specializing in Church Financial & Strategic Consulting. He is also the writer and host of “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show,” airing Mondays from 8:00–10:00 PM on the Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Connect, share, and support the ministry. For inquiries, email: mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com
