Slices
Prepare
What are you grateful for this week? Thank God for his faithfulness and goodness to you.
Bible passage
A psalm of David.
1 Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands to you;
I thirst for you like a parched land.
7 Answer me quickly, Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
11 For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.
Explore
David is in a hard place. The physical struggle (v 3) causes a spiritual struggle (v 4); his battle with a physical enemy leads to a battle with his emotions. Worse than the enemy’s threats, though, is desperation for a sense of God’s presence (vs 6,7). He’s feeling hopeless. When circumstances get us down, it’s easy to let our emotions spiral downwards too, losing sight of our ever- present God.
So what should we do when we’re in a dark place? David actively reminds himself of the things God has done before (v 5), then lifts his hands in prayer (v 6) to that same God who is faithful (v 1) and whose love is unfailing (v 12). It’s as if he’s reaching up to a strong hand to pull him out of the pit.
There are two truths which David states at the start and end of this psalm. First, he remembers the righteousness of God. David cries out for help on the basis of God’s righteousness and goodness rather than his own (v 2). Secondly, David refers to himself as God’s servant. He knows he is in relationship with this faithful (v 1) and loving (v 12) God; his plea for help is not because of anything he has done but because he knows that he is loved.
Respond
Look again at verse 5. Take time to consider the things God has done: from creation to salvation, to the day you first encountered him.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ezra 9,10; Luke 5
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Scripture Union Scotland’s developing relationships with churches, youth projects and organisations working in Scotland’s most deprived communities. Pray for wisdom as to how SU Scotland can add value to existing ministry and for new partnerships to emerge.
