SCRIPTURE: Psalm 69:19-36
OBSERVATION:
David was guilty of some serious sin (v.5) but when he looked for mercy, his family and friends (v.8) were harsh and judgmental. He looked for sympathy but received none (v.20).
He is angry at them for not being merciful and prays that God would treat them as they treated him (vv.22-28). Whether we agree with what David says, we understand his frustration.
We should not see David’s words as “God’s truth” or “principles for Christian living” since we know that Jesus did not advocate this kind of judgmental response (see Matthew 5:43-48).
These are simply David’s honest confession of anger and hurt, honestly expressed to God. God knowsx his heart, David shares his heart. There is no need to hide what we are feeling, since God already knows it, but as we pray it, God by His Spirit will bring healing and renewal – and guide us away from anger to forgiveness.
David’s prayer does not end in anger but in praise, God takes his focus away from his problem and pain and enables him to focus on God’s mercy.
APPLICATION:
I can be honest with God, since God knows what is in my heart whether I say it or not.
Honesty is the best place to start with God, He enables us through our honest prayers to find healing, hope and strength, and to move beyond our selfish focus to a God-honouring focus.
I hear the Lord challenging me to look at my prayers, to see whether I am being honest, and whether I am focusing on my own selfish needs or Him?
The honesty of this Psalm is refreshing, no need to pretty words or pretend faith, I can be totally and brutally honest when I feel lousy, when I feel like I am sinking. As I do so, the Lord by His Spirit will refresh and encourage me.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for sharing David’s heart through this Psalm with me. I need to pray this prayer myself, to be honest about my struggle then to allow You to lead me beyond myself and my pain to focusing on You. Amen.
This Psalm reminds me of Job and his friends, who really were not a help for him. David found no comforters but they put gall in food and vinegar for drink. A symbol of Christ? Even a table set before them? Once again, the people have eyes and do not see or experience the mercies/salvation of God. David ends with a song of praise and thanksgiving because God will save.
Lord, help me to live for You each day anew. Help me to walk the talk at all times. You are my Father and I will talk with You always of my daily walk with You – in the joyous times, the frustrating time, the angry times, the despairing times, etc. Thank You that I can cast all my cares upon You. I am never alone for You hear me. Thank You Lord.
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. – Psalm 55:22
The song in my heart today is:
What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer.