“My spirit is weak within me; my heart is overcome with dismay. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all You have done; I reflect on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; I am like parched land before You. Selah Let me experience Your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in You. Reveal to me the way I should go because I long for You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground.”
(from Psalm 143)

King David, who reigned over Israel and who wrote much of the book of Psalms, experienced many great times and yet many tragic times in life. Psalm 143, which became a famous Israeli hymn, calls out to God during significant hardship–here’s just a few verses from it.

In vs 4, David describes very candidly how he feels: My spirit is weak, my heart is overwhelmed and I’m depressed. David is honest with God!

In vs 5, David breaks off his depression, like you break the ice of a frozen pond-“I remember . . .David writes and prays. I remember the old days of hanging out with You God! I reflect and mediate on what You’ve done for me in the past!

In vs 6, I spread my hands out to You, God. By doing so, I choose to praise You in the midst of difficulties, I surrender my will to You and I position myself to recieve blessings from Your hands, for left to myself, I’m parched, empty and dry. I need You to refresh me, God!

In Vs 8 David prays that God will remind him of His faithful love in the morning -because God’s mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:23), and obtainable to all who look to God for them. David declairs his trust in God and asks God to show Him the way he should go.

In vs 10, David asks God to teach him to do His will, “for You are my God!” By Your gracious Spirit (Whom David obviously knew personally, even though Psalms is an Old Testament book) lead me on level ground. I believe David means emotionally when he prays this-he’s obviously experiencing highs and lows emotionally. What struggles do you have today? Do like David-tell God the truth of how you feel! Reflect on what God’s done for you in the past, what He’s brought you through-battles He’s won for you! Position your heart and perhaps even your hands to praise Him, despite the trouble, surrender to Him and recieve from Him! He’s there for you just as He was for David!

Think about it!