Prayers of Faith in a Time of Distress

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 6-7

 

Psalm 7:1

O Lord my God, in You I put my trust;
Save me from all those who persecute me;
And deliver me

(NKJV)

 

A believer in Jesus Christ as their Savior is not exempt from problems and distress in life. One of the interesting discoveries in studying the Psalms is the discovery of the raw emotion expressed by the psalmist as they experience trials in life. Some may see this as a lack of faith but since the Lord knows our innermost thoughts and feelings it is one being honest with the Lord, something even Jesus did (Matthew 26:39). What would be a lack of faith is to wallow in our emotions when in distress without expressing our belief the Lord will be with us through it since He promised to be with us (Isaiah 41:10).

 

David begins Psalm 6 with a plea for God not to rebuke or chasten him in anger but to have mercy on him because he is weak and in need of healing and because his bones are troubled (Psalm 6:1-2). David’s soul is troubled, and he asks how long before he receives relief from his distress (Psalm 6:3). David asks the Lord to return for mercies’ sake because in death there is no remembrance of God and no one gives thanks to God from the grave (Psalm 6:4-5). David is weary from his groaning with his bed and couch drenched in tears with his eye wasting away from grief and growing old because of his enemies (Psalm 6:6-7). David then acknowledges that the Lord has heard his voice of weeping and tells all workers of iniquity to depart from him (Psalm 6:8). The Lord has also heard David’s supplication and will receive his prayer (Psalm 6:9). David concludes this psalm by asking the Lord to let all his enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled and to turn back suddenly (Psalm 6:10).   

 

David begins Psalm 7 with a declaration of his trust in God to deliver him from enemies that persecute him before they tear him apart like a lion (Psalm 7:1-2). David tells the Lord to let the enemy pursue and overtake him if there is iniquity in him (Psalm 7:3-5). After repenting of any iniquity in his life, David asks the Lord to arise in His anger because of the rage of his enemies and to rise up to the judgment He has commanded (Psalm 7:6). The congregation of the peoples shall arise with David telling the Lord to return on high (Psalm 7:7). The Lord shall judge the peoples with David asking Him to judge him according to his righteousness and the integrity within him (Psalm 7:8).

 

David now asks for the wicked to come to an end and for the establishment of the just who have God as their defense, saving the upright in heart (Psalm 7:9-10). David knows God is a just judge who is angry with the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11). If the Lord does not turn back, his sword is sharpened, His bow is ready, and he makes his arrows into fiery shafts (Psalm 7:12-13). The wicked brings forth iniquity, conceives trouble, and brings forth falsehood (Psalm 7:14). The wicked will fall into the pit he dug with his trouble returning to him and his violent dealings coming down on his crown (Psalm 7:15-16). David will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, singing praises to the Lord Most High (Psalm 7:17).

 

David had many enemies who sought to destroy him, but he remained faithful in the Lord, trusting Him to deliver him. These two prayers are David honestly sharing his feelings with the Lord, but are also a declaration of his faith in the Lord to deliver Him from his enemies. In Psalm 6:1-7 we observe David honestly letting the Lord know what he is experiencing when in distress from his enemies. Like many of the psalms, this is one where the psalmist emotionally pours out his heart to God. Why not? Doesn’t God know the emotions we are experiencing for even Jesus poured out his emotions to God in the garden (Matthew 26:39). However, David does not continue to wallow in his distress but ends with faith, knowing God has heard his prayer and that his enemies will suffer defeat.

 

In Psalm 7, David begins by declaring his trust is in the Lord his God, crying out for God to save him from those seeking to persecute and destroy him. He then repents for any iniquity he may have committed that has led to the distress he is in from his enemies. However, this psalm concludes with David praising the Lord Most High according to His righteousness and not his own righteousness. Even though the prophecy of Isaiah, who said our righteousness was like a filthy rag had not been written yet, David knew his righteousness was useless for providing salvation (Isaiah 64:6). 

 

All believers in Jesus Christ as their Savior are in a spiritual battle and have an enemy, Satan. These prayers are an example of how we can freely express our feelings of distress to the Lord and declare our faith in the Lord to bring deliverance from our enemies. This spiritual battle can manifest in our battle with the flesh, requiring repentance, something even the Apostle Paul dealt with (Romans 7:13-25). Thankfully, we have the lifeboat of 1 John 1:9 and can confess our sins to the Lord and receive forgiveness. I thank you, Lord, that salvation is a gift from God and not dependent on my good works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23).

 

One learning to trust in God for help, safety, and guidance in times of trouble begins with trusting in God to take care of their greatest problem, sin in their lives. If you have never taken this first step, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I invite you to let someone know of your decision or to comment on this post about your decision. I also encourage you to become involved in a Church that teaches the Bible and following through with baptism. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.