“Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord.”
Have you ever felt like giving up? Have you ever felt like just throwing in the towel? Have you ever been overcome with hopelessness? For some suicide is the ultimate expression of hopelessness but most people don't go to this extreme measure. And, believers are not exempt from feeling completely overwhelmed and hopeless.
Once again David gives us this song. There is disagreement among good biblical scholars as to what occasion predicated the writing of this song. The specific occasion is not really important. What is important is the layout of this song and the prayer of the heart that it conveys.
In the first three verses of this psalm David proclaims the faithfulness of God. He declares how God, in times of trouble and distress, is there for him. In verses 4-6 David speaks about what is most important to him in life; it is to have a personal relationship with God. Verses 7-10 show some level of anguish. He pleads with the Lord not to abandon him, not to ignore him. He begs the Lord to hear the cries of his heart. In verses 11 and 12 David expresses what is bothering him. David's enemies seek his destruction and David's hope is deliverance from his enemies by God's grace.
David finishes the psalm with a declaration of unwavering faith. He will see the Lord's goodness during his lifetime. As believers we sometimes grow weary and may even think, “If only God would take me home now.” Regardless of the circumstances, David knows that he will not be abandoned nor will he have to take matters into his own hands. He will wait for the Lord, experience God's grace and mercy once again, and abide in a loving relationship with his Lord, Creator and Savior.
