There are days when the what, the when, and the how of life are tough. What should I do now? When will things get easier or the next steps become clearer? How am I supposed to manage in the meantime? By God’s grace, when the what and the when and the how seem foggy at best, Psalm 69 shines as a lamp for our feet and a light to our path.
Notice David’s difficult circumstances:
- The waters have come up to my neck (69:1)
- I sink in deep mire where there is no foothold (69:2)
- I am weary with my crying out (69:3)
- My throat is parched; my eyes grow dim with waiting for my God (69:3)
- More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause (69:4)
- Mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies (69:4)
- I have become a stranger to my brothers (69:8)
- I am the talk of those who sit in the gate (69:12)
- Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair (69:20)
- I needed pity, but there was none; I looked for comforters, but I found none (69:20)
What can you pray during such tough times? How can you endure, searching for light, not knowing when or if the darkness will lift? If Psalm 69 teaches us anything, it surely teaches us this: when the what, the when, and the how are challenging, we need to focus on the Who. Listen to the ways the “God of hosts” is described throughout this song of David:
- Nothing can be hidden from him (69:5)
- He is the I AM who hears the prayers of the needy (69:13, 33)
- At an acceptable time, from an abundance of steadfast love, he answers in saving faithfulness (69:13)
- He is an all-powerful deliverer (69:14)
- He is perfect in steadfast love and abundant in mercy (69:16)
- He draws near, redeems, and ransoms (69:18)
- He revives the hearts of those who seek him (69:32)
- He does not despise his own people who are in distress (69:33)
- He is worthy of praise in heaven and on earth (69:34)
- He blesses those who love his name (69:36)
A lighthouse shines brightest on the darkest nights. When the what is stormy, the when is dim, and the how is hazy, the Who is undaunted. Undefeated. Stable. Steadfast. Faithful. Fix your eyes on him. These are the moments he shines the brightest. Set your compass by him. These are the seasons we need him most.
What a blessing to be granted steadfast and sure access to the throne room of heaven through prayer!
For the LORD hears the needy… (69:33)
What will you do with that blessing today?