Scripture: Psalm 142: 1-7 [The Message]
Psalm 142:1-7
1-2 I cry out loudly to God, loudly I plead with God for mercy.
I spill out all my complaints before him,
and spell out my troubles in detail:
3-7 “As I sink in despair, my spirit ebbing away,
you know how I’m feeling,
Know the danger I’m in,
the traps hidden in my path.
Look right, look left—
there’s not a soul who cares what happens!
I’m up against it, with no exit—
bereft, left alone.
I cry out, God, call out:
‘You’re my last chance, my only hope for life!’
Oh listen, please listen;
I’ve never been this low.
Rescue me from those who are hunting me down;
I’m no match for them.
Get me out of this dungeon
so I can thank you in public.
Your people will form a circle around me
and you’ll bring me showers of blessing!
Observation(s): In song David pleads to God aloud asking for His forgiveness and giving his confession in detail. Depression abounds in David’s life, yet the acknowledgment of G-d’s presence. He knows how David feels, knows the danger he is in. David sees his Creator as his last chance and only hope for life–concluding that His chosen will encircle him and bring down “showers of blessings”.
Application(s): Do I acknowledge the sin in my life? Do I seek forgiveness on a on-going basis? Do I pour my heart out to Him who has created me? Do I accept that G-d is ever-present and knows intimately how I feel and the danger that I am in? Do I see Him as my only hope, or do I cling to temporal things as my way out? Do I surround myself with His people who can inspire and lift me up to Your showers of blessings?
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my shortcomings and failures as a husband, father, friend, worker! You know me so well! You know what I fear and the potholes I’m about to step into. Help me to remember to call on you (loudly) even when I’m not in danger. Help me to see You through the fog called life. Sustain my hope, surround me with your people and continue to rain down showers of blessings onto my family and me. Your will not mine be done.
