Thoughts for the Day

A psalm of David

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.

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 one of a number of psalms where David appeals to God for help when enemies seek to kill him. We get a clear idea of how great his fear is when he cries "Answer me quickly, O Lord". We see that he recognises his sin may be a barrier to a righteous God. But finally he remembers the times God has saved him in the past and concludes that God is faithful to His promises to His servant.

Today we do not expect to be hunted by a killer, but other things can terrify us, so that we instinctively turn to God for help. A fear of heights can cause someone to freeze while climbing; being given a diagnosis of cancer will terrify another; or being caught in a rip tide while swimming will alter another person's life. Maybe we don't see God at work in the hand of an experienced climber, or the patient nurse; or the swift work of a lifeguard, but He works through many people in His world.

My own fear was always dentists after a very frightening experience as a child. But 42 years ago after much prayer, and taking my young son with me, (I had to set a good example!) I sat in the dentist's chair completely terrified. What I discovered there was a man with patience, kindness, gentleness, and good humour, who has looked after my teeth ever since,

We may not know who helped David after his appeal to God, but we often come across those who carry out His work in helping others. May God encourage us to answer the prayers of others in any way that we can.

Lord God,
may we not forget when we pray for help
that our appeal can be answered in many ways.
It can be through something as simple as:
a kind comment,
a warm smile,
an unexpected action,
or by someone who listens sympathetically.
We thank You for such people,
and ask Your help in learning to copy them
Amen.