Prayer for Mercy

 

Write From My Heart / September 25, 2020 / Prayer for Mercy

Psalm 28:1-2 (NLT)  I pray to you, O LORD, my rock. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you are silent, I might as well give up and die. Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. 

            The Psalmist David spent years literally running for his life. His enemies were fierce, relentless, and sometimes they were his family members. I cannot imagine the depth or scope of David’s utter dejection at times. I’m not convinced the struggles you and I face can truly compare even though in the moment we may be overwhelmed. You can sense evidence in how low David is by the requests that follow the above passage. His prayer continues: 

Psalm 28:3-5 (NLT)  Do not drag me away with the wicked—with those who do evil—those who speak friendly words to their neighbors while planning evil in their hearts.  Give them the punishment they so richly deserve! Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness. Pay them back for all their evil deeds! Give them a taste of what they have done to others. They care nothing for what the LORD has done or for what his hands have made. So he will tear them down, and they will never be rebuilt!

            Even David knew that it was not his responsibility to seek retribution no matter the depth of his despair. Rather his trust was in his LORD to punish wrong. Notice the last verse—not “I will tear them down” but that “he will tear them down.” Folks that makes all the difference in the world! We take our burdens, sorrows, cares, and concerns to the Lord, and leave them there.

Romans 12:19 (NLT)  Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

            When David places his utter despair in God’s hands, he knows he has been heard. I love how he closes this psalm, and I especially enjoy the NIV Bible for these verses:

Psalm 28:6-9 (NIV)  Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

            You can probably guess what I am going to tell you next, but I believe it from my heart! Our Heavenly Father is never more than a prayer away!