Read
(A psalm by David.)
A Prayer in Time of Danger
1Listen, Lord, as I pray!
You are faithful and honest
and will answer my prayer.
2 I am your servant.
Don't try me in your court,
because no one is innocent
by your standards.
3My enemies are chasing me,
crushing me in the ground.
I am in total darkness,
like someone long dead.
4I have given up hope,
and I feel numb all over.
5I remember to think about
the many things you did
in years gone by.
6Then I lift my hands in prayer,
because my soul is a desert,
thirsty for water from you.
7Please hurry, Lord,
and answer my prayer.
I feel hopeless.
Don't turn away
and leave me here to die.
8Each morning let me learn
more about your love
because I trust you.
I come to you in prayer,
asking for your guidance.
9Please rescue me
from my enemies, Lord!
I come to you for safety.
10You are my God. Show me
what you want me to do,
and let your gentle Spirit
lead me in the right path.
11Be true to your name, Lord,
and keep my life safe.
Use your saving power
to protect me from trouble.
12I am your servant.
Show how much you love me
by destroying my enemies.
Reflect
David was desperate. Few of us will ever be in the same place as David with enemies surrounding him in an effort to defeat him or even take his life, but we can identify with the feeling of being desperate when we are in the midst of tragedy, illness or emotional pain. When we know we are no longer in control, we know the feeling of being vulnerable – of not being self-sufficient.
In those times, like David, we plead for God’s mercy; however, we seldom stop to think about the reality that spiritually we are also absolutely desperate without God. The enemy, Satan, does surround us looking for ways to defeat us and we are not self-sufficient. Only God is our protector.
This Psalm is David’s heartfelt supplication for God’s intervention. He is desperate. His spirit grows faint. His heart is dismayed. And yet, he knows he cannot make demands. He can only plead for mercy.
His experience of God’s care in the past gives him hope for the future. He’s counting on God to protect him not because he deserves it but because he is God’s servant – and he’s sure that God would want to protect his own servant.
“For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life … In your unfailing love, silence my enemies … for I am your servant” (v 2, 12).
In truth, it is only as we throw ourselves on the mercy of God that we can be saved from the enemy of our souls. Whether we realize it or not, we are desperate without God.
Neither can we make any demands on God – but we can plead for God’s mercy – knowing that God longs to embrace us in his loving arms.
Respond
Faithful God, Deliver me from the fallacy the world wants me to believe – that I am self sufficient. It’s so true that I’m desperate without you – totally and absolutely dependent on your mercy – and I am so grateful. You are faithful indeed. Amen.
Lynn Smith
Lynn served Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto as Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Development where leadership development became the focus of her involvement with students. After retiring, she co-founded NextLEVEL Leadership, an International organization focused on encouraging Christian women to develop in their leadership roles in the marketplace, profession or ministry. Her passion for seeing others grow in their leadership confidence has inspired her to teach and mentor wherever God calls. Publications: Gender or Giftedness: a Challenge to rethink the basis for leadership within the Faith Community; Mentoring: Leaving a Legacy; Fred's Not Here - Living with Alzheimer Disease takes Courage