Don’t Hesitate to Ask

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

¹ Hear my prayer, O Lord;
listen to my plea!
Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.
² Don’t put your servant on trial,
for no one is innocent before you.
³ My enemy has chased me.
He has knocked me to the ground
and forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave.
⁴ I am losing all hope;
I am paralyzed with fear.
⁵ I remember the days of old.
I ponder all your great works
and think about what you have done.
⁶ I lift my hands to you in prayer.
I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.

Interlude

⁷ Come quickly, Lord, and answer me,
for my depression deepens.
Don’t turn away from me,
or I will die.
⁸ Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you.
⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;
I run to you to hide me.
¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward
on a firm footing.
¹¹ For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life.
Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.
¹² In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies
and destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.

Clearly the writer of this Psalm is not afraid to ask God for help.

I counted at least 17 different types of requests to God from David in this Psalm – hear my prayer, answer me, don’t hide from me, show me Your love, make me know the way to go, deliver me, teach me, lead me, revive me… the list goes on!

The number of David’s requests almost seems over the top, and yet it reminds us of how patient God is with our frailty. God knows that we are weak and how much we need Him. He welcomes us to ask for help over and over again. 

Thank you, Father God, that you love us in our weakness and are so willing to help us when we ask. May we remember to ask for Your help in humility rather than try to do this life in our own strength. 

Written by Shelley Witt