Like the immense pressure that forms diamonds, it seems a lot of David’s worship is born out of adversity. In Psalm 41, David’s enemies are saying: “When will David die, and his name perish?” (v.5). David’s visitors are a vain hope for encouragement, as they offer him only empty platitudes (v.6). Far worse, we wonder if their visits were just a pretense for gathering gossip about the king, because all that David shares in confidence is soon spread throughout the kingdom (v.6). Even worse, one of David’s closest friends, whom he trusted, has turned against him (v.9). David is surrounded by malice, gossip, and betrayal. Every direction he turns he is faced with animosity. That is, until he lifts his eyes to heaven and looks to his Lord. He prays: “But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.” (v.12-13).
Father God, forgive us the times we turn to you as a last resort; when we’ve first turned to friends, and family members, and neighbors, and even strangers, and have not found what we were looking for in them. Of course, the unconditional acceptance, the steadfast love, the unwavering faithfulness, the abundant joy, all these things we are looking for can only fully be found in you. We pray, Lord, grant that turning to you might be our first response, like a reflex any time we face a challenge, that prayer might become second nature to us.
When our enemies glare at us, when our would-be counselors offer us nothing, when our purported visitors turn out to be gossips, when our close friend turns against us…Lord help us see the love in your eyes when you look at us. Grant that we might receive comfort in your counsel. Send your Spirit to keep us company and cheer us with your presence. Remind us of your loyal love, your forever faithfulness. Lord, we place our hope in you. We trust you. We love you. We pray these things in Jesus’ name, amen.
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