Psalm 143

Listen, Lord, as I pray!
You are faithful and honest and will answer my prayer.
2 I am your servant.
Don’t try me in your court, because no one is innocent by your standards.
3 My enemies are chasing me, crushing me in the ground.
I am in total darkness, like someone long dead.
4 I have given up all hope, and I feel numb all over.

5 I remember to think about the many things you did in years gone by.
6 Then I lift my hands in prayer,
because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you.

7 Please hurry,Lord, and answer my prayer.
I feel hopeless.
Don’t turn away and leave me here to die.
8 Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you.
I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance.

9 Please rescue me from my enemies, Lord!
I come to you for safety.
10 You are my God. Show me what you want me to do,
and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path.

11 Be true to your name,Lord, and keep my life safe.
Use your saving power to protect me from trouble.
12 I am your servant.
Show how much you love me by destroying my enemies.     Psalm 143 (CEV)

The psalms are not just songs of praise written by someone who lived a life without problems. They are songs like many of today’s Top 100 that are written in the gritty real world. The writer simply pours out his feelings to God who is intimate and involved in his life. Whether I can turn a beautiful phrase or not is immaterial to God, but He does want to keep it real in our relationship.

I used to read a psalm like this one and think, “I don’t have ‘enemies’ like this guy is talking about.” But I do. My enemies have various ‘faces.’ It could be a bully in my classroom or workplace. Yes, there are bullies in the workplace. They often cover their remarks with a thin veneer of sophisticated sarcasm or superiority but underneath they are just a schoolyard bully.

Another enemy can be found in my own family. This enemy wants control and makes every situation a power struggle in which they demand that everyone else give in to their way and opinion.

Too often I give satan and his buddies more credit than they deserve for causing trouble that brings pain and conflict in my life. Often I am my own worse enemy. I make the poor choices and I think that if I just keep trying to do things my way, I will eventually get a different, successful outcome!

Give this psalm another read and consider the enemies in your life. No matter their origin, God is big enough to take them! Let us give every aspect of our lives to God. Let us stop trying to be bull-headed and instead, bow our heads before God and let Him lead us in the victorious life that He desires for each one of us.

Power of Your Love written by Geoff Bullock and sung by The Hillsong Worship Team