Thoughts for the Day

Hear my prayer, O Lord;
give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness;
answer me in your righteousness.
Do not enter into judgment with your servant,
for no one living is righteous before you.

For the enemy has pursued me,
crushing my life to the ground,
making me sit in darkness like those long dead.
Therefore my spirit faints within me;
my heart within me is appalled.

I remember the days of old,
I think about all your deeds,
I meditate on the works of your hands.
I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.

Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me,
or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Psalm 143 is usually known as the last of the seven penitential psalms (psalms 6, 32, 38, 102, 130, and 143), many of which Christians have sung on Ash Wednesday at the beginning of Lent. It is, like almost half of the psalms, attributed to David who we know was a poet, musician, and creator of musical instruments.

David's songs nearly always address themselves to God in praise, or in supplication that he will be heard ("Hear my prayer, O Lord"), before addressing his problem, and he often asks God not to judge him ("Do not enter into judgement with your servant") for he knows he cannot stand up to God's exacting standards. They often remind God (and himself) of the times He has rescued David in the past, or helped His people ("I think about all your deeds"), before ending with a note of trust ("for in you I put my trust") and a final request concerning his future life as God's servant ("Teach me the way I should go").

When our life or the lives of our loved ones becomes difficult, for whatever reason - financial, through illness, or even danger - we usually turn to God. Sometimes our souls, our very beings, cry to the Lord. Sometimes we only turn to Him when all else has failed. Sometimes we are simply angry that He hasn't answered our demands in the way we want. The psalms of David teach us that in an emergency, like an approaching car crash, we should simply say "God help me!" But at other times we should follow David's example in approaching God with praise and thankfulness, and ultimately in trust that He will help.

Almighty God,
You know us through and through,
and you are always with us.
Help us to grow closer to You,
and to involve You in all that we think, plan, or do.
When life is difficult give us the strength to continue.
(This day we ask Your help.....................).
May we rest in the knowledge
that You know what is best for us,
and put all our confidence in You.
Amen.