Devotional by Jesse Leland — May 10, 2020
“But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.” — Psalm 69:13
I really appreciate the Psalmists emotional honesty. You can’t read many Psalms, without realising that the writers struggled greatly in this world (i.e. even Holy Spirit inspired Bible writers). If Jesus’ plain warnings (e.g. “…count the cost…” and “…take up your cross…”) weren’t enough to quell our thoughts about always ‘living on the mountaintop’ (i.e. nothing but smooth sailing!), surely scripture like Psalm 69 can help us re-adjust our minds. Listen to verses 1–3, “Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.”. King David is obviously in distress.
In this broken world, we too are beset with many difficulties. Unlike David, we are not surrounded with literal physical enemies seeking to destroy us (at least hopefully not many of us). Yet, we are often tempted to be overcome by various challenges. How can we keep fervent in unanswered prayer? When there seems to be no foothold, how can we stand? If the flood threatens to overwhelm, with what shall we overcome? David was “…a man after my [God’s] heart…” and there is much to learn from his example.
Below are four points to illustrate how David ‘set his mind’ to wait on the Lord, notwithstanding his depth of emotion, pain and affliction.
1. Irrespective of his circumstances, or how he felt about them, David resolutely ordered his prayers to God Almighty (verse 13). Further, he reminded himself about specific characteristics of God, particularly those relevant to his spiritual need — i.e., God’s “steadfast love” and “saving faithfulness” (i.e. or truth).
2. David reminded himself that salvation is from the Lord (verse 29). He acknowledged his distress, before asking God to “…set me securely on high.”.
3. In faith, he praised and thanked God (verse 30) — e.g., “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.”.
4. Israel’s King humbled himself before God. He remembered the relationship between humility and faith (verse 32) — e.g., “When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.”.
Brothers and sisters, let’s follow King David’s example. This week, let’s re-set our minds on our great God. He understands your trouble and affliction and cares about your pain (1 Pet. 5:7). Be constant in prayer to our Heavenly Father (Eph. 6:18) and worship him (see Rom. 12:1). Stand firm on the Rock of our salvation (e.g. Isa. 44:6–8, Matt. 7:24) — the Lord Jesus Christ — cling to him! Practice “Count[ing] it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2–3). Remember John’s instruction to the early church — i.e., “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4). Our petitions will be answered “…at an acceptable time.”. Praise God for that!