Slices
Prepare
Have you ever felt so beaten down you couldn’t even find the energy to seek help? Feeling like this is very tough. How has God intervened at such times?
Bible passage
For the director of music. Of David. A petition.
1 Hasten, O God, to save me;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.
2 May those who want to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
3 May those who say to me, ‘Aha! Aha!’
turn back because of their shame.
4 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
‘The Lord is great!’
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Lord, do not delay.
Explore
As David wrote this psalm, he was in trouble. People were mocking him and they were seeking to ruin him and take his life (vs 2,3).
David was impatient for God to come and save him (vs 1,5). Are we also beset by impatience when we find life challenging and we are struggling to see God at work in a situation or circumstance? David’s example is to ask God for help and to proclaim his conviction that God is his help and deliverer (v 5).
David also celebrated those who seek the Lord (v 4). These people who love God’s salvation have reason to rejoice. Do we proclaim God is great when we reflect on our own salvation (v 4)? Even when life is a challenge, the truth is still that God is great. Is there anything that makes proclaiming his goodness hard for us to do?
When it comes to the ultimate deliverance needed – our salvation from sin – we genuinely are helplessly in trouble. Praise God that he hastened to help us. ‘But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son … to redeem…’ (Galatians 4:4,5).
Respond
Think of those you know personally or who you hear about on the news who need God to deliver them, pray for God to help and hasten to them.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Genesis 7,8; Psalms 1,2
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for the staff team of SU Hong Kong at a time of transition. With three new members this year and three preparing to retire, pray for wisdom and unity among the team, and for the right people to join in the future.
