Week of August 31

The late Billy Graham, who enjoyed remarkable effectiveness throughout his nearly eight decades of ministry, once said, “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God forgive me,’ or ‘Help me.’” Psalm 143, from beginning to end, contains a continuous appeal to God. The psalmist’s lament signals his desperate situation, and he cries out to the Lord for help. Have you ever been this desperate for God’s help? Let’s ask the Lord to help us to see our way through deep troubles.

The psalm is the last of what have been termed “Penitential Psalms” (Handbook; EBC). There are seven psalms in this genre, and one can see quickly the confessional nature of the lament (cf. Psalms 6; 32; 38; 51; 102; 130; 143). Our writer opens with a prayer for God’s righteousness (vv. 1-2), then moves immediately into his lament (vv. 3-6). This is followed with several petitions (vv. 7-11). He then concludes the psalm with a prayer for God’s righteousness (v. 12). Let’s dive deeper into the psalm.

Confess your frailty and sin. Despite the severity of trouble, one senses that God stands ready to bring forgiveness to the penitent one. Luther in fact called this psalm one of the “Pauline Psalms” because of its emphasis on the Lord’s grace and favor (cf. also Psalm 32; 51; and 130; EBC). The writer knows that he is not without fault or sin, and he acknowledges that no one is innocent in God’s sight (143:2). If you are like me, you identify quickly with this need for God’s forgiveness and mercy and are drawn powerfully to this psalm. 

Cast yourself on God’s mercy and righteousness. We may begin to see something of the importance of language in the psalm as an indicator of the type of worship that the man wants to give to God. Sometimes we lack the vocabulary that properly positions us in worship before the Lord. Notice the liturgical phrases that the psalmist uses: “hear my prayer,” “listen,” “my cry for mercy,” and “come to my relief” (i.e. answer me; see vv. 1-2 & 11-12). We may scroll through our hymnals or our iTunes collections of Christian music to find songs that contain such phrases. We may hum those tunes and whisper those words in penitential worship because we know how unworthy we are (vs. 2). The point is to throw ourselves upon God’s “faithfulness” and “righteousness” (EBC; cf. Psalm 25 and the perfections of God).

Consider God’s past acts of redemption. The psalmist is being hunted down, which has left him feeling isolated and in darkness (i.e. Sheol; EBC). In fact, he feels like those who have been dead for a long time, meaning that God has abandoned him (vv. 3-6). He is discouraged and at the point of despair (v. 4). It only gets worse as he reflects upon God’s past deeds. He remembers, mediates, and considers God’s act in creation and through the history of redemption (see 77:3-12). How he longs for the olden days! 

Cry out for God’s unfailing love and forgiveness. Out of the depth of our despair we may call on the Lord for His speedy deliverance (v. 7; cf. 40:13; 69:17; 102:2). We know that if God hides His face, then we will be in dark hopelessness (cf. Numbers 6:24-26). In what is the single verse that touches me most deeply, the psalmist calls upon the Lord to renew His “unfailing love” (Heb., hesed; our word for mercy and grace). I fail, but He doesn’t! My failure is like the darkest night, but His favor is like the morning light (cf. 30:5). So, where do we go from here?

Our rescue from our adversaries and the ultimate adversary, the tempter, occurs when we trust the Lord with all our hearts (cf. vv. 9, 10). God always keeps His promises and will do the same for His people who abide in them. Willem VanGemeren writes, “Obedience here is an outgrowth of redemption, which itself is a work of God, freely rendered to those who express faith in him. Obedience and sanctification grow out of a relationship of grace” (EBC).

It always brings a smile to my lips when I see pictures of sunrises that friends and family members post on social media platforms. Everywhere, from Washington State to West Texas to tropical resort locations, the grandeur of God’s creation bursts forth in the first morning light. The same is true when we emerge from within the darkness of our own sin and failure into the glorious light of God’s forgiveness. Pray it with me today, “Good morning, sunshine!”

1. Consider taking a spiritual retreat. Take and divide this psalm into sections and pray each portion throughout the day. If you are unable to take a retreat, then select a slice of the psalm that you will pray and meditate upon in your daily quiet time. Record the ways that God brings healing, forgiveness, and restoration into your life.

2. For Families: This psalm reminds me of something living at the Center. We have a large potted Leopard plant with big leaves that look like umbrellas. It sits in the corner of our Board Room in front of an afternoon-sun-lit window. I water it every few days. The side of the plant facing the window grows large, sprouts lovely new leaves every week, and flourishes. The side of the plant away from the window are green, but do not respond the same. So, I rotate the pot every month or so to keep the plant growing evenly.

Sharing this little story, or showing your children how plants react to the sun at your house, can help children understand the lament psalm above. We all have things that make us sad or hurt our hearts - even children. When this happens, it always helps to turn our faces to God, tell Him how much we love Him, and open ourselves to Him. He will restore our souls, make things new, and help us to flourish. Help your children to make it a habit to run to God with every emotion.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock