A PRAYER FOR GOD'S HELP
PSALM 143:8-10
PSALM 143:8-10 NKJ
8 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.
9 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter.
10 Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.
David is going through a challenging time when he is writing this psalm. His enemies have done some damage, and David acknowledges before God that he is overwhelmed, and his heart is distressed.
But one thing we see in David throughout the psalms, he does not stay down. David shows the ability to shift his thoughts and his tone to a more hope-filled perspective. As David asks for help, he also reveals his position with God. Cause me to hear, for I trust you God. Cause me to know because I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me, for in You I take shelter. Teach me, for You are my God.
David is not only asking for help; he is declaring his heart before God. David is a man who truly lived with God and stayed connected to Him.
APPLICATION
In this psalm, we can see three important things.
- David poured out his heart before God, not so much before people. That's wise.
- David asked for God's help in hearing God's voice, guidance in his walk, deliverance from his enemies, and to be taught to do God's will. If God will do these things for David, He will do these for us.
- David declared things about God and his relationship with God. I believe this is a very underutilized truth that we can pick up on and apply to our daily lives. We can declare our trust, hope, and shelter in God. And that He is good and good to us.
I have always looked to David as an ancient mentor. He walked close to God and had such a heart for Him. His example and prayer are a great pattern to follow.
PRAYER
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the wonderful example You have given us in Your word. Guide me and teach me because I trust in You.