Read
A Prayer in Times
1Show that I am right, God!
Defend me against everyone
who doesn't know you;
rescue me from each
of those deceitful liars.
2I run to you for protection.
Why do you turn me away?
Why must enemies mistreat me
and make me sad?
3Send your light and your truth
to guide me.
Let them lead me to your house
on your sacred mountain.
4Then I will worship
at your altar because you
make me joyful.
You are my God,
and I will praise you.
Yes, I will praise you
as I play my harp.
5Why am I discouraged?
Why am I restless?
I trust you, Lord!
And I will praise you again
because you help me,
and you are my God.
Reflect
These few verses almost sound like a mix between a plea and a bargain being made between the psalmist and God – and the desperation expressed is by no means foreign to us. Most of us can identify at least one time, if not a few dozen, when we’ve felt the same need to lament our circumstances and try to negotiate with God. Yet that is not what the psalmist is doing here. He’s not negotiating a deal comprising of, “if you save me, then I’ll praise you.” Not at all. While there is a bit of lamentation near the beginning, the psalmist quickly remembers to whom he’s speaking and realizes that the victory has already been won.
“Then I will worship at your altar because you make me joyful. You are my God, and I will praise you. Yes, I will praise you as I play my harp.” This is not the psalmist’s bargaining chip – this is his certain future. Thus, he ends in confidence what was started in sorrow and fear: “Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me and you are my God.”
In those times when we feel desperate, alone, and afraid, we need to trust God with the same faith as this psalmist. We need to remember that God has not abandoned us and he has not turned us away. His light and truth will lead us to safety, so take courage and have faith. There is no need for bargaining because, in God, you have hope and a future.
Respond
Faithful Father, how frequently we forget your power and kindness. Forgive us for being so quick to blame you when things don’t seem to be going our way. Let us, instead, be quick to praise you, regardless of our circumstances, because you help us and you are our God. Amen.
Larissa Benfey
Larissa is a Toronto based actor and writer who has dabbled in everything from scripts to short stories, and is now setting her sights on novels. Having studied English and history at Tyndale University and Seminary, she loves a good story, but her favorite stories always have happy endings - which is part of why she loves the true story of the Gospel so much.