A Cry for Help
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10 (CSB)
David expresses his deep pain to the Lord and seeks guidance amidst his struggles. He reflects on past experiences and the Lord's past support, using them to motivate his ongoing search for divine presence. In his desire for relief and restoration, David looks to the Lord for strength. This Psalm teaches us that when we call out to the Lord for help, the aid we receive often comes as strength to face our challenges, as the Lord acts in accordance with His will and for His glory.
I Need You Lord (1-4). At the beginning of the Psalm, the Psalmist turns to the Lord for help. When this request is made, David becomes acutely aware of his own sinfulness. This awareness emerges as David recognizes his true condition in the presence of a holy God. His cry for assistance stems from a complex reality. David seeks support not only to endure the opposition and suffering inflicted by others but also to confront the truth of his own sinfulness. We all share the need for the Lord. In seeking His help, we must adopt a stance that allows the Lord to reveal the state of our hearts, aiming for forgiveness while also trusting Him to address our challenges.
Remember The Past (5-8). The Psalmist's exhaustion becomes evident in verse 4, setting the stage for the encouragement he will receive. In verses 5 and 6, he reflects on the Lord's great works, meditating on them to inspire hope in his life. The work of the Lord’s hands indicates that the Psalmist recalls both the magnificence of creation and the continuous sustaining of His people. This remembrance prompts him to ask for the Lord's intervention once again, but this time, he seeks guidance that only the Lord can provide. How often do we look for instant deliverance instead of asking the Lord for the guidance we truly need? Examining the past reveals that God frequently works through the journey of our lives. We must earnestly seek the Lord for guidance and strength to navigate our paths effectively.
The Path to Renewal (9-12). David asks the Lord to rescue him, understanding that only the Lord can truly provide protection. He views this plea as part of his journey and outlines three key elements essential for renewal. First, David seeks to live according to God's will. This ability is granted solely through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as David aims for his life to embody a quest for and adherence to God’s will. Second, David wishes to live for the Lord's glory. He hopes that his life will honor the Lord's name and make it known among the nations. Third, David places his trust in the Lord. Rather than attempting to forge his own path, he relies on the Lord to navigate the challenges of his journey. In contemplating the path to faithfulness, we must seek God’s will, live to glorify His name, and place our complete trust in the Lord.
QUESTIONS
Why is it important that we ask the Lord for guidance in the journey and just not to request immediate rescue?
Why must God be the center of our journey? What barriers can exists that keep us from walking in faithfulness down the journey God has for our lives?
