David wrote Psalm 69 in distress—Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck, I sink in the miry depths where there is no foothold.
Honestly, whenever I read this psalm about undeserved suffering my first thought goes to the lyrics from Never Been Any Reason, by the classic rock band Head East. Their line save my life I’m going down for the last time resonates, but I believe they’re singing about a girlfriend, not enemies at the gate. But I digress.
David writes from a place of pain and confusion. He asks God to rescue him. He pleads his devotion. David prays for vengeance on his enemies. I’m astounded by his bald honesty—Pour your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. He holds nothing back, and we’re privileged to read these unfiltered thoughts.
Then David does something powerful. In the midst of his frustration and angst, David turns toward the Lord, not away. That’s always the choice in these situations. How will we react? As I read the stories of the kings of Israel and Judah, I see both decisions in distress—some turn to the Lord and others away.
In hard, challenging, maddening times, I face the same choice as David. Do I turn toward the Lord, or away?
I doubt if David felt like turning to the Lord, I think he did so by conscience choice, by an act of faith. That’s impressive, and hard to do, especially in the terrible situations life bring us.
Perhaps that’s what made David a man after God’s own heart.
Psalm 69 in week thirty-seven of reading the Bible cover to cover
Photo by nikko macaspac
Thank you for these thoughts today, Dave. The conscious choice to turn to God in the midst of all circumstances pertains to every facet of daily living! And now I can’t get the Head East song out of my head! I think I had that album?
Val
Thanks Val, for your thoughts, and that is a catchy tune!