Praying Through the Bible #72
TEXT: Psalm 143
When we think of the book of Psalms today, most people see it as a book to turn to when they are in need of encouragement. The Psalms are a place where we find identity and refuge during the difficult days of life. The Psalms let us know that we are not alone when trouble comes our way. And, the Psalms remind us that even God’s greatest servants such as David had to go through hard times.
During such difficult times, it is easy for one to become depressed and downcast about life. However, one of the thing we learn from David is how to maintain a spirit of hope during hardship, how to remain upbeat when you are being beatup, how to be positive during perilous times. How does David show us this?
1. During perilous times, David cries out to God. He says, “Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications.” When every other door is closed to you, the gates of Heaven are always open. You can cry out to God at anytime, from anyplace, and for anything. David cries out to God with the expectation that God will hear Him and answer Him.
2. During perilous times, David remembers the blessings of the past. In verse 5, David says, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.” What we choose to think about helps to determine our attitude and outlook on life. During perilous times, we can choose to dwell only on the negativity of our current situation. Or, we can also choose to think about the good times of the past.
3. In perilous times, David looked for God’s lovingkindness. David continues praying, “Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust.” David agonizes in his prayer. He feels like giving up. He feels like God is about ready to turn his back on him. He feels like he is about to be counted as one of the dead — “one of those that go down to the pit”, that is “sheol” or the grave. Yet, David still proclaims his trust in God. He asks God to save him from his situation not based on anything else but His mercy or “lovingkindness.”
Gospel Light House of Prayer International 