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Just how perfunctory can I be and still keep your attention? I don't know, probably will never know, but pray that you will indulge me in my perfunctoriness as I introduce today's devotional. The series is the God of All Comfort taken from 2 Corinthians 1.3. The sub-set has been the seven Penitential Psalms (6,32,38,51,102,130, and 143). Today, we look at the last of these seven Psalms. It is such a poignantly piercing piece of literature that I quote it in its entirety.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, And in Your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous. For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Answer me speedily, O LORD; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; In You I take shelter. Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. In Your mercy cut off my enemies, And destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant. (Psalm 143.1-12).

From the outset of the Psalm, notice that David did not ask God to grant any desires that might have been outside of God's traits of faithfulness and righteousness. David was the one who should be taught; God was the teacher. David was the one who had sinned; God was the righteous judge of all sinners. David was the petitioner who longed for relief; God was the petitioned who had the ability to grant any lovingkindness that befitted the occasion. In the “game” of spiritual hide-and-seek, God had the ability to hide His face from David; David, on the other hand, knew that his every thought and deed lay absolutely bare before Creator God.

What gave David the right to pray such a prayer? Just who was he to think that he could request God to “bring my soul out of trouble” and to “cut off my enemies”? Did he not know that he was a sinner like the rest of us? Without going into great detail, David knew he was a sinner, but he also knew something of the character of God. He knew a fact that James would write about years and years later; here is the passage I have in mind: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1.1-5).

David did not know the will of God perfectly. As humbling as it might sound, neither do we! Our Comfort in Penitence does not come from knowing the perfect will of God; it comes from knowing Perfect God. David realized this principle and was forced to say, “I lift up my soul unto Thee!” David's standing was our standing, namely, “I am Your servant!” And after we have done all, we are yet, unprofitable servants (Luke 17.10). True Comfort in Penitence does not come from within; God is the God of ALL comfort. As servants we lift up our souls to Him and He grants our needs as He sees fit!

Questions:

1. What might David have been speaking of when he said that he mused on the work of God's hands (Hint: Consider the 8th Psalm)?

2. What needed perspective might such musing yield? How important is that perspective?

3. Why would David ask God to teach him to do His will?

4. Why wasn't David afraid to boldly ask such things of God? Why may we boldly seek such favors also (see Hebrews 4.16)?

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

Things that go bump in the night