On Saturday, I wrote about being on top of the mountain with God after a wonderful Christian conference. I’m still remembering that mountain-top experience and feeling the wonder of it. And yet, it has been a trying day. Tomorrow will be difficult, too. There’s not much to say about it, or any great lesson in my mind to share. As I’ve come down from the mountaintop, the evil one — my enemy — has brought difficulty my way. My response is to pray this Psalm and share it with you.
Psalm 143
A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in darkness
like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Selah
7 Answer me quickly, O LORD;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD,
for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
11 For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.
The great thing about praying using the Psalms is that I know God is faithful and will answer. He will be with me. He will “rescue me from my enemies.” He will “lead me on level ground.” He will “preserve my life.” As David did, I remember all that God has done for me and trust that He will answer my prayer again.