God the Rescuer
David is in trouble again. In a place where he feels as if
every step is dangerous (Ps142:3b), he is alone (Ps142:4), there is no safe
place (142:4b), he is being pursued by enemies (143:3), aware of his sin
(143:2), and feeling crushed (143:3). He feels in darkness as if dead (143:3b),
and indeed, as if he is about to die (spirit grows faint, spirit fails,
Ps142:3. 143:4,7). He is desperate and he pleads with the only one he knows can
set him free. He pleads for mercy (142:1, 143:1), for relief from his ongoing
anguish.
And this is a good thing to do. He knows that God provides a
safe refuge for those who trust in Him (142:5) and that He is good (142:7). He
knows that God is judge and no one stands right before Him (143:2), but that He
is also faithful and righteous (143:1) and has proven his faithfulness before
(143:5). And so David, God’s servant, does well to cry out to God for rescue,
guidance, help and mercy. That he may once again praise God’s name. And that
God may be glorified, as Jesus prayed in Gethsemane
(Matt 26:38), as we can pray because of Jesus’ death on the cross making us
righteous before Him.
So do we? Do we cry up out of the pit when we are in it and
pray to the LORD (142:1)? To the only One who is strong enough to set us free?
Have mercy on us? Rescue us? He already has on the cross. And do we then
transform this experience into praise and worship (143:6)? And tell of His
glory to those gathered around, now and into eternity (142:7)?
(friend of Christ Church