Read
(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use stringed instruments.)
A Prayer in Time
1 Don't punish me, Lord,
or even correct me
when you are angry!
2Have pity on me and heal
my feeble body.
My bones tremble with fear,
3and I am in deep distress.
How long will it be?
4Turn and come to my rescue.
Show your wonderful love
and save me, Lord.
5If I die, I cannot praise you
or even remember you.
6My groaning has worn me out.
At night my bed and pillow
are soaked with tears.
7Sorrow has made my eyes dim,
and my sight has failed
because of my enemies.
8 You, Lord, heard my crying,
and those hateful people
had better leave me alone.
9You have answered my prayer
and my plea for mercy.
10My enemies will be ashamed
and terrified,
as they quickly run away
in complete disgrace.
Reflect
Wow – what is happening in this psalm? Has the psalmist done something so terrible that God is furious? What’s this discipline thing about? Is the Psalmist dying of some illness – or what?
Well, we are not told. What we do read is that the psalmist feels rebuked and disciplined and is crying out for help and for mercy . . . again. But this time there is a cry for healing, for release from pain and sleeplessness. Groaning and weeping, tossing and turning all night, failing sight and aching bones. Nowhere to turn except to God.
Several years ago a dear friend was in hospital recovering from cancer surgery. Recovery was painful in his body and terrifying in his mind. After recovering, he said that he had learned some things: day is better than night, friends are better than alone, well is better than sick.
I think the psalmist would agree.
With so much pain and terror that brings death ominously near, the psalmist cries out: How long, Lord, how long? Then an abrupt curve ball: a challenging debate with God. Save me because you are mercy, you are love – and besides who praises you from the grave! The dead can’t praise you! Keep me alive so I can sing your praises! Save me! A bold prayer indeed. A boldness rooted in years of getting to know the character and the heart of God who sees, who listens and who cares.
God hears the cry for mercy and takes pity on the groaning and weeping psalmist. The prayers are accepted. And although we still don’t know what the root of the suffering is, those who have bad-mouthed the psalmist and the psalmist’s God will be put to shame because God is getting involved. He has heard and has acted.
Respond
God, you are amazing. I long to have this kind of honest, bold relationship with you – and I long for more such healing action in the lives of those I love. I don’t long for the pain and terror but I do long for you . . . more and more. Thank you that you do not back away when we are real. In the name of Jesus who was very real. Amen.
Elaine Pountney
Integration: a key word in Elaine’s life. Integrating a Science Degree into Counselling; integrating healing and wholeness into effective team building in an international business context (e.g. Sony Canada, Ontario Hydro, Schonbek LIghting); integrating counselling concepts with a Biblical understanding of what builds healthy communities and relationships with groups in the Caucasus, Africa, Brazil and the Arctic. Is it any wonder that she now works with leaders across Canada ‘bringing the pieces together’ toward Spiritual Integration? Publications: Reclaiming the Wonder of Sexuality. Trafford Pub: BC, Canada. 2008; “Reclaiming the wonder of sexuality: toward a Biblical understanding of male & female” teaching manual.