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God and Me

           A psalm of David.

Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.

I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. 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 entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant. (Psalm 143)

This is the last of the laments we’ll consider for now, but it gives us a good prescription for handling times of lamentation. First, we should call on God in prayer, basing our petition on His faithfulness, righteousness, or other attributes. We should not only admit to our immediate need for aid, but to our need for Him in general. David told of what his enemy was doing to him.

Secondly, we should remember what God has done in the past, not only in our lives but also in creation and history. We should put our trust in Him and in His observed behavior.

Thirdly, we should seek God’s direction. We should take ourselves to Him.

Fourthly, we may consider what our desire for God’s response to the enemies is.

Fifthly, we should reaffirm our commitment to our relationship with God.

The order isn’t the real key here. The point is that the model this lament provides involves God and us. God and “them” fits, but it’s not as important.

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