July 18, 2011

Psalm 142 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Luke 9:51-62, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, 2 Chronicles 5-6

Journal Entry

Scripture

1With my voice I cry out to the LORD;
with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.
2I pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him.
3When my spirit faints within me,
you know my way!
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
4Look to the right and see:
there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
no one cares for my soul.

5 I cry to you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living."
6 Attend to my cry,
for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me!
7 Bring me out of prison,
that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
for you will deal bountifully with me.

Observation

The scenario is that David, the writer of this psalm, is situated inside a cave, hiding from Saul who is aggressively searching for him. Out of desperation and despair, David cries out to God, requesting His mercy and protection from Saul. He laments that he has shared his complaints and anxieties with God but to no avail, painting an even darker picture for himself. Nevertheless, David reminds himself and acknowledges that God continues to be his refuge. Even at times of great despair, David confidently concludes this psalm by stating that the righteousness of God will surround him and rescue him from this and all future circumstances of concern.

Application

Desperation and despair are two words that I can quickly identify and relate to during these trying times of mine. Only upon the elimination of my anxieties and frustrations will I begin to truly experience Him again in an intimate capacity that I have treasured in the past. Employed or not, I have no alternative but to wait upon His time, not mine!

Prayer

Dear God:
May I always seek to work and glorify You in accordance with Your plan while casting away my own plans. Please assist me to continue to patiently be guided by your will that is truly the sovereign plan. Allow me to never go astray from your will that must be the guide for the balance of my life. Thank you, God, for allowing me to share my thoughts with respect to this passage to my fellow brothers and sisters. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

--Dean Park