I just love the book of Psalms. David gets it. He knows how to struggle, cry out, and deeply feel his pain…but he also completely trusts God. He beautifully wrestles with the truth as it pertains to his woes—not denying his pain, but rather using it to engage his faith.
I believe we see into the brokenness of David more than we do any other person throughout Scripture. We see his heinous sin. We see his fears. We see his wounds. We see his battles. We see his lament. We see his questions.
Conversely, we see his faith. We see his praise. We see his commitment. We see his trust. We see his gratitude. We see his victory.
And strangely, the contrast beautifully models “a man after God’s own heart”…mortal David brilliantly displaying faithfulness in heartache.
Psalm 142
I cry aloud to the LORD;
I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
I pour out my complaint before him;
before him I tell my trouble.
When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who know my way.
In the path where I walk
men have hidden a snare for me.
Look to my right and see;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.
I cry to you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
Listen to my cry,
for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.
Please teach me, Lord, David’s art of devotion.