Stuck on the Way
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, You help me at times when I am most needy. I praise Your name.
Read Psalm 69:1-36
[1] For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. [2] I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. [3] I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. [4] Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. [5] You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you. [6] Lord, the LORD Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me. [7] For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. [8] I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children; [9] for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. [10] When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; [11] when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me. [12] Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards. [13] But I pray to you, LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. [14] Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. [15] Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. [16] Answer me, LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. [17] Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. [18] Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes. [19] You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. [20] Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. [21] They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. [22] May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap. [23] May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. [24] Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. [25] May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. [26] For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. [27] Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. [28] May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. [29] But as for me, afflicted and in pain- may your salvation, God, protect me. [30] I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. [31] This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves. [32] The poor will see and be glad- you who seek God, may your hearts live! [33] The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. [34] Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, [35] for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; [36] the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
In his misery to whom does the Psalmist turn?In Africa, people enjoy four-wheel drive tours, often traveling along dry river beds. It is common for a vehicle to sink into ground which turns out to be marshy beneath the surface. The wheels churn into the mud and the vehicle becomes stuck. The only solution is for another 4 x 4 to tow it to dry land. The psalmist here seems to be stuck (2,14). He is overwhelmed by unfair persecution and can’t move forward (4). He lists his problems to the Lord, and then asks for rescue. Interestingly, he then shows concern for those watching his situation (6). Although some parts of this psalm clearly refer to the psalmist’s own situation, much of it is prophetic, pointing forward to Jesus’ anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane and his crucifixion (21; cf. Luke 23:36). Like the psalmist, Jesus prayed to his Father for help; he also prayed for his followers (John 17:15). Facing persecution or unfair condemnation, especially from loved ones (8), can be overwhelming. We need to tell the Lord how we feel, and then ask him to pull us out of the mire. But we should also pray for others, that our behavior will not cause someone else to stumble in their faith. And that’s not so easy.
Apply
Who do you know who is overwhelmed right now? How can you throw them a tow-rope and help them out from the mire?
Closing prayer
Gracious God, help me to move forward today away from sin and despair to Your firmer ground.
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