In times of tiredness and trouble, David gives us the prayer we need
By Dean Collins
Go ahead and complain. You don’t need an official form, and it doesn’t need to be in writing. You can make your complaint today if it is weighing on you. You need no one’s permission. You simply follow David’s example in Psalm 142.
“With my voice I cry out to the Lord.”
“With my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.”
“I pour out my complaint before him.”
“I tell my trouble before him.”
This psalm wasn’t David’s only time to be honest with God. It is one of many. It was likely written while David was hiding in caves and running from Saul. If scholars have reasoned correctly about the timing of this complaint to God, I think it is fair to assume things hadn’t turned out exactly as David imagined they would when Samuel anointed him, probably as a young teenager. It must have been a confusing moment for David, for his family, and for Samuel. And the surprising visit from Samuel with the announcement of a shepherd boy’s future kingship probably left David and his family expecting better times sooner. But better times didn’t come quickly. Psalm 142 likely was written in the period of 15 years between his anointing and his kingship.
David’s road to becoming king was long and hard, often fraught with danger as he was pursued by King Saul or his armies. In Psalm 142, David clearly feels and expresses his frustration to God. After David declares his complaint, he follows with an important declaration of faith. It’s one we can cling to as well when we choose to let God hear our grievances.
“When my spirit faints within me, you know my way!”
When we are in our hard seasons, also often long, our fatigue is real. It is normal to be weary, and it is healthy to acknowledge it before God. David admits he doesn’t really know even where to walk because of the traps that have been set around him, yet God knows how to keep his steps safe. David believes God will get him through and bring him to his promised role. Others may fight against David. Others may fight against God. In these times of opposition, David gives us an example of how to pray and what we can by faith expect from God.
“You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
David is clear he has no way to avoid danger or secure a future except to take refuge in God. God alone can and will get him through his struggles and lead him to a place of flourishing. The same is true for us. We may think we are the best strategist, best provider, best salesperson, or best leader, and that by our efforts we can think, plan, or buy our safe path forward. The truth is we are very limited in comparison to God and his resources. He is our better way forward.
David let God hear his complaint. David declared his confidence in the Lord, and David declared thanksgiving to God in advance for the victory he knew would eventually come to him.
“Bring me out of my prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.”
I don’t know when your trouble will ease. I often wonder when various seasons of trouble will end for me as well. But while we are in these tough seasons, an appropriate and even necessary prayer is Psalm 142. Let it be yours today. Pray it confidently, believing God will get us through and will send our brothers and sisters who share our faith to surround us and support us. His plans for us are good and filled with bounty. Give thanks for the victory God has already secured!
Amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 142:1-7; 1 Samuel 13:14 ESV
Photo by Artem Kovalev on Unsplash
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.
