Closer Day 15 | Psalm 39
Read: Psalm 39
1I said, “I will guard my ways,
that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,
so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
2 I was mute and silent;
I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
3 My heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “O Lord, make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions.
Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
9 I am mute; I do not open my mouth,
for it is you who have done it.
10 Remove your stroke from me;
I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
11 When you discipline a man
with rebukes for sin,
you consume like a moth what is dear to him;
surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah
12 “Hear my prayer, O Lord,
and give ear to my cry;
hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am a sojourner with you,
a guest, like all my fathers.
13 Look away from me, that I may smile again,
before I depart and am no more!”
Reflect:
Psalm 39 is a psalm of desperation. Very honest desperation. I love what Pastor Tim Keller writes, “It is remarkable that God not only allows his creatures to complain to him of their ills but actually records those wails in his Word…the very presence of such prayers in Scripture is a witness to His understanding. He knows how men speak when they are desperate.” I love that! God knows how we speak when we are desperate. So, when we are suffering, hurting, and desperate, let’s not heap up empty, worthless prayers trying to please God or hold back the truth, but be honest with Him. Tell him of your suffering. Tell him when you’re upset, worried, confused, whatever it is. I believe when we’re honest with God and speaking to Him like we would a loving Father, we actually begin to believe He is listening. When we believe God is listening, at some point, we’ll stop and wait to hear back from Him. As David says, “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.”
Prayer:
Pray and be honest with God today. If things are going well, then give thanks for those things. If things are hard, tell Him. Ask Him to bring relief. But most of all, trust that God hears. And He loves you. He loves you just as much when you’re suffering as when you’re giving thanks.
This devotional is part of our Closer: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Our hope is that this will assist you in focusing your heart each day. To learn more or to get caught up, click here.