by Charleine Fenn

Created on: April 29, 2008

In this psalm, the phrase, "How long" occurs four times in the first two verses. This indicates the depth of David's distress. David expressed his feelings to God and found strength. By the end of his prayer, he was able to express hope and trust in God. Sometimes all we need to do is talk over a problem with a friend, to help us put the problem into the proper perspective. Through prayer, we can also talk our problems over with God. There are times when God alone, can give us the right perspective and give us the peace we need in our hearts.

We all face troubles and complaints in our lives. Just as David did hundreds of years ago. Usually the hope and confidence in God outweighed the fears and sufferings of David. Sometimes they did not. Still the psalmist consistently called upon God. Often revealing troubling thoughts and emotions while in the depths of despair. There were times when David felt abandoned by God. When he did, he cried out to God in prayer and psalm.

There were times when David was impatient with how slowly God seemed to be answering his prayers. During these times he poured his heart out to God and told him so. Because David recognized the difference between himself and God, he felt free to be a man and thus he was honest with the Creator. That is why many of the dark psalms end in light. The psalmist started out by expressing his feelings of doubts and fears but ended up remembering, he was speaking to the very self same God who had divinely anointed and appointed him.

David frequently claimed that God was slow to act on his behalf. How often do we feel this same impatience? Especially, when it seems that evil and sufferings go unchecked. We often wonder when God is going to stop it. Still David affirmed, he would continue to trust in God, no matter how long he had to wait for God's justice to be realized. When you feel impatient, always remember David's steadfast faith in God's unfailing mercy and love.

David was a faithful man. He was king but he felt the pressure of his problems as much as anyone. Maybe more so than most of us, because he was one of the first kings of God's chosen people. David held on to his faith in times of despair. It is much harder to hold on than to give up. If you give up on God, you give in to a life of despair. God's time is not our time. His ways are not our ways. God's ways are so much higher than ours.

Although we have much in common with the psalmist, we may differ in two ways. We might not tell God what we are truly thinking and feeling. Therefore we might not recognize, even faintly, God is always listening to our prayers. Put the psalmist insight to the test. You may well find that your appreciation of God will grow as you are honest with God. Trust in his mercy and rejoice in his salvation. Sing unto the Lord and he will deal bountifully with you.

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