In The Word
Read: Psalm 142 and 143
142 I cry out with my voice to the Lord;
With my voice I implore the Lord for compassion.
2 I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare my trouble before Him.
3 When my spirit felt weak within me,
You knew my path.
In the way where I walk
They have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see;
For there is no one who regards me favorably;
There is no escape for me;
No one cares for my soul.
5 I cried out to You, Lord;
I said, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.
6 Give Your attention to my cry,
For I have been brought very low;
Rescue me from my persecutors,
For they are too strong for me.
7 Bring my soul out of prison,
So that I may give thanks to Your name;
The righteous will surround me,
For You will look after me.”
143 Hear my prayer, Lord,
Listen to my pleadings!
Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!
2 And do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For no person living is righteous in Your sight.
3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.
4 Therefore my spirit feels weak within me;
My heart is appalled within me.
5 I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your accomplishments;
I reflect on the work of Your hands.
6 I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You, like a weary land. Selah
7 Answer me quickly, Lord, my spirit fails;
Do not hide Your face from me,
Or I will be the same as those who go down to the pit.
8 Let me hear Your faithfulness in the morning,
For I trust in You;
Teach me the way in which I should walk;
For to You I lift up my soul.
9 Save me, Lord, from my enemies;
I take refuge in You.
10 Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11 For the sake of Your name, Lord, revive me.
In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And in Your faithfulness, destroy my enemies,
And eliminate all those who attack my soul,
For I am Your servant.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
King David understood the importance of humbling himself and desperately crying out to the Lord. We see in both of the Psalms today that his spirit was overwhelmed. We know that he was feeling this way because he hid for his life in a cave from King Saul who was trying to kill him. “Overwhelmed” in the Greek means to become feeble, faint, or grow weak. His spirit was overwhelmed due to the circumstances that he was facing, and David didn’t fight his king with physical weapons, but with tears and prayers.
Another way David encouraged himself is found in Psalm 143:5. Here, we see that he meditated on all of the things God had done in his life. He even sang and spoke of the works of God’s hands; then David committed to stretch out his hands to God in prayer and desired for more of God.
We must use this example, found in the scripture, when our spirit is feeling overwhelmed. You may find yourself in a dark place in your life, and it seems you will never leave that place. Be encouraged because you can meditate on all God has done in your life so far and know that He hasn’t brought you this far just to leave you. He has more good things for you to accomplish. Then begin to speak out loud and sing songs proclaiming His power, glory, and majesty! Speak and sing a song of victory today because, with Christ, you can be more than a conqueror.