Psalm 31 describes dire circumstances. David shares that his body and soul and eyes and bones are wasting away (v.9-10). His plight is not one of days, or weeks, or months, but he describes it as years of sorrow and sighing (v.10). David’s enemies are plotting to take his life, meanwhile David’s neighbors and friends abandon him (v.11-13). In the midst of it all, David declares: “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God’” (v.14).
Lord, we confess we don’t always approach our sufferings with the same faith that David had. He prayed: “I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul” (v.7). Instead, we sometimes pray: “Lord, you have seen my affliction…and you haven’t done anything about my troubles! You know my distress…and you haven’t helped me! Do you really love me, Lord?”
Jesus, though David penned these words before your earthly birth, though he intended them to describe his own life, his words also remind us of you. Even more than the sorrows of David (v.10), we remember that you were once described as a “man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53:5). David’s enemies plotted his death (v.13), but your enemies succeeded in scheming your crucifixion. David’s neighbors and acquaintances fled from him (v.11), but your disciples even denied knowing you. David’s faith (v.5) found expression on your lips as you hung on the cross: “Into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
Jesus, we still don’t always understand our suffering. But when we think of what you did for us on the cross, the question “do you really love me” is banished from our minds. We don’t understand our suffering, but we do understand yours. You died for us because you love us. Therefore, because of what you did for us, your love for us is the one thing we are most certain of. We can be more certain of your love than that 1 and 1 make 2, or that grass is green and the sky is blue.
Jesus, because of your love for us, we know you will come to our aid. You will save us and deliver us from all evil, even as you have promised us. You will grant us eternal life, eternal love, and eternal joy. Therefore, we pray: when our circumstances seem dark like David’s did, give us faith like David had to keep trusting you. As David said: “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!” (v.24). Amen.
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