Psalms – Prayers of Honesty
Sometimes we run for our lives from dealing with perplexing problems in serious encounters of living this life. Sometimes we try everything to avoid it or deny it is even happening. When we finally face it and realize it’s too big for us to handle, we cry out. Humans typically cry out to family first because they are right there in your home. When that does not satisfy, we might cry out to our coworkers in frustration hoping they will console us, sympathize with us, “be our our side” and help us get through it. We see them every day, why not? When our family and coworkers don’t help we turn to close friends we trust, friends at church, or friends of the family. If they go to church, they should be of help, right? When we finally come to the end of our rope of connections, we cry out to God…Who has been waiting for us, mercifully ready to listen. We tell our God who created the world and everything in it our problem. When we are really distraught we even tell Him how to fix it. (Just being honest.)
David is hemmed in from all sides from Absalom, his own son who wants to kill him. David prays a very passionate prayer for help…like we would if we were in his situation. Then he honestly tells God what he would like for Him to do to his enemy. Life is rough and David wants God to know that.
Psalm 3, The MessageA David Psalm, When He Escaped for His Life from Absalom, His Son
1-2 God! Look! Enemies past counting!
Enemies sprouting like mushrooms,
Mobs of them all around me, roaring their mockery:
“Hah! No help for him from God!”
3-4 But you, God, shield me on all sides;
You ground my feet, you lift my head high;
With all my might I shout up to God,
His answers thunder from the holy mountain.
5-6 I stretch myself out. I sleep.
Then I’m up again—rested, tall and steady,
Fearless before the enemy mobs
Coming at me from all sides.
7 Up, God! My God, help me!
Slap their faces,
First this cheek, then the other,
Your fist hard in their teeth!
8 Real help comes from God.
Your blessing clothes your people!
SOMETHING TO CHEW…
Talking out our problems with God, honestly, helps to to be at peace, grow in maturity, gain perspective, and see things more that way God sees life. God will help us work through it. God will work in us as we work through it. God will even provide the rest and peace we need for our health. He will also build our strength to fearlessly face whatever comes in this journey called life here.
HEART CHECK…How honest is my heart when I talk with God about those around me who hurt me or battles with circumstances that I cannot handle? How honest am I when I tell him what went wrong as I describe the circumstances? Do I tell our God of the universe what to do?
God knows our situations. God knows the hearts of those who hurt us. God knows our hearts. God knows the outcomes. God knows. So, keep it honest, but then listen to God’s response and obey.
Cry out to God first, it saves a lot of precious time.
Dear Heavenly Father,
There are things that are disturbing here at times. But to know that You know already brings peace in the middle of it all. Please send real help that only You can provide. We trust in You for all that we need. We want what you want. Clothe us with your blessings so that we are blessings back to you.
In Jesus Name, Amen
