Monday 3 June, 2013

1 I said, “I will be careful about how I live. I will not sin by what I say. I will keep my mouth closed when sinful people are near me.” 2 I was silent and kept quiet. I didn’t even say anything good. But the pain inside me grew worse. 3 My heart was deeply troubled. As I thought about what was happening to me, I became even more troubled. Then I spoke out. 4 I said, “Lord, show me when my life will end. Show me how many days I have left. Tell me how short my life will be. 5 You have given me only a few days to live. My whole life doesn’t seem like anything to you. No man’s life lasts any longer than a breath. Selah 6 People are only shadows as they go here and there. They rush around, but it doesn’t mean anything. They pile up wealth, but they don’t know who will get it. 7 “Lord, what can I look forward to now? You are the only hope I have. 8 Save me from all the wrong things I’ve done. Don’t let foolish people make fun of me. 9 I keep silent. I don’t open my mouth. You are the one who has caused all of this to happen. 10 Please stop beating me. I’m about to die from the blows of your hand. 11 You correct and punish people for their sin. Just as a moth eats cloth, you destroy their wealth. No one’s life lasts any longer than a breath. Selah 12 “Lord, hear my prayer. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my sobbing. I’m like a guest in your home. I’m only a visitor, like all of my family who lived before me. 13 Leave me alone. Let me be full of joy again before I die.”

I think David is talking about here what happens when you try and live up to God’s standard or what we perceive is God’s standard all by ourselves without God’s help. He talks at the beginning of how hard it is to do the right thing in the midst of the world. He tried and tried and he just couldn’t do it, he just became more uncomfortable. It seems he was annoyed with himself for not speaking out against wickedness as well as with those around him being wicked.

Then he recognised that God is in charge. He also realised that each of us is but a puff of air when we consider God and His plan for man which triggered a change in his view.

His response to this realisation was to see that he could place his hope in God. That God sees the bigger picture and has a much better understanding of what is going on. That there is a good reason to struggle with our own behaviour and everyone else’s behaviour – because God asks us too and He is keen to help. God cares about us, wants to help and train us to see the bigger picture of His plan for man.

Dear Lord, help me to come to you, to ask for your help, to not just shut you out and try and “be good” all by myself. I want to play a part in your plan Lord so I need to see the bigger picture and I need to trust you even when I can’t see the bigger picture. Thanks that this is part of Your plan too.

Written by Therese Manning