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 judgement with your servant,
for no one living is righteous before you......

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......

For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life.
In your righteousness bring me out of trouble.
In your steadfast love cut off my enemies,
and destroy all my adversaries,
for I am your servant.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

All of us have felt desperate at some time or other, whether it's because of ill health (ourself or a loved one), or because of danger. We see King David here at a time of crisis, probably because of one of his many enemies are thretening him.

This psalm is one of the Seven Penitential Psalms usually sung by early Christians on Ash Wednesday. These psalm are songs of confession and humility before God. David pleads for God's help, knowing that only He can rescue him. This is no casual turning to God as we might do before going to bed; David knows that unless God saves him, he will shortly die and he turns to the Almighty, humbly trusting Him to save him from the danger.

We are servants of the Living God, and we should never be afraid to ask God for help when we are in extremis - when there is no-one else to rescue us! We should think back to the times when God has helped us, and be confident that He will be with us in whatever is occurring at the moment. But don't let us make this a last resort, for we should be developing a close and personal relationship with Him that allows us to turn to Him daily or even hourly.

Almighty God,
You know us through and through,
and you are always with us.
Help us to grow closer to You,
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.