Our prayers to God are often most earnest when danger is most imminent. We call out to God because we recognize we can be overtaken (or perish) by our troubles without his aid, thus David cries out in this Psalm to God, “To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit” (v1). Here are some encouragements that are instructive for our prayers to God as we face difficulties of our week:
The Christian is a child of God (v3-5). In David’s prayer, he distinguishes himself from the unbeliever by identifying some their ways, thus he says of them, “…who speaks peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts……..they do not regard the works of the Lord or the works of his hands….” David was not sinless as he pursued the righteousness and will of God that bore the fruit of faith in all areas of his life. By describing the ways of the wicked, he at the same time does not number himself with them in his prayer before God. How much more should the Christian be encouraged than David because we have inherited the sure mercies of Christ? We do not have to lift our human righteousness before God (as if it was actually worth anything). Instead we approach God needy and with humility, for righteousness has already been credited to us (imputed) by God the Father through his Son, Jesus Christ. Paul taught, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21).
Gods’ righteousness grants us mercy (v2). David was confident in his standing before God. However, he does not offer his righteous work as a justification as to why God should hear his prayers. Instead, he understood that any good accomplished in his life was due to God’s righteousness, and this truth gave him access to his mercy. Thus he petitions God, “Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands towards your most holy sanctuary.” Likewise, because of what Jesus has done for us, we are assured of our position (lot) as child of God (Rom 8:16-17); and have access to the provision of grace and mercy (especially as a help to us in our time of need, Heb 4:16).
Dear most beloved of God, no matter what you go through remember God cherishes you. He has promised, he will never leave nor forsake you. He has given us everything we need to live this life for him and navigate our trials and tribulations with faith as our guiding light. All this is possible, because he has given us of his very self, that is Jesus Christ. We no longer have to engage in the futile effort of justifying ourselves before him, but rather go to him (who justifies us) to receive what he has prepared in abundance for his children, his love through mercy. May the rejoicing of David fill our hearts, “Blessed be the Lord! For he has head the voice of my pleas for mercy. (7) The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trust, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Amen! Hallelujah!!!
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com