Hurry Up God!

Psalm 69 70 hurry up god2How often are we weary in a trial and we just want life to return to normal. But what is normal? Is it a stress free lifestyle? How many of us are really stress free? How many of us face trials hoping to see God at work? How many of us live like we truly understand God is at work even while we are not aware of His intended purpose? How many of us see life as a beautiful tapestry being woven? Probably if truth be known, not many of us. King David wanted his trial to end. He just wanted life to return to normal. How did he handle it? Peek into his private journal and see his thoughts.

Psalm 69-70 God are you paying attention? 
The psalmist uses hyperbole to talk about his situation. His first picture is that of drowning, second is in quicksand and although he cries for help he finds none. He is exhausted, and his voice is raspy and hoarse. He is in despair;  Is there no hope? He is weary of looking for God’s help because those who hate him are so numerous.
The haters: more numerous than the hairs on his head…[really???  a bit of over-exaggeration here in my estimation, but how often is this how I see a trial?]
His prayer Please God don’t let others be disgraced because of me. Don’t let them carry my shame as he suffers humiliation for God’s name’s sake, and is in fact disgraced even in the family (short memories here: remember when David went to where the Israelites were fighting and how his brothers taunted him..go home little shepherd—these are those same brothers–lesson for us is this: how quickly we forget how God has worked in the past) 
 And so he once again turns to his only hope: God. Again he uses a picture of drowning, and the pit …he is dying physically. He implores God to not turn a deaf ear to his cry, Do not ignore me, Father, don’t you see…I am in deep trouble. I need a rescue plan.(Note God: I need Your rescue plan!) He asks: God can you see my life?  insulted, humiliated, disgraced, a defeated heart? Seeking sympathy and empathy he finds none.
How does he react: vengeance!  let those who are doing this be ensnared even as they sit down to eat. Let them be blinded! Make them have epileptic seizures! God pour out judgment upon them, hold them accountable for their sins. Don’t vindicate them, wipe them out. [Is this how I pray? Is my trial so grievous that I pray for my enemies to face certain death? I hope not! instead may I pray that their hearts be softened and repent] 
Finally after a long diatribe he relents and turns to God for his relief and in that moment of time he begins again praising God, thanking God for he knows that God hears his heart, and this will all be righted in the end at the throne of God and those who are loyal will be found righteous and blessed. His bottom line is this:Hurry up God! Let’s get this trial over so my life will return to normal. 

Time to ponder these thoughts from David’s journal and ask: how do I face trials of life? Do I count it all joy; remain steadfast and learn contentment? Do I remember that trials are given to prove my character and to nott be astonished as if it were some strange phenomenon. Do I petition persistently as the widow did before the unjust judge? And lastly:  “Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.” [Phi 4:6] trusting the truth that “all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” [Rom 8:28]

It all boils down to trust and that is what God asks me to do even when I do NOT understand.

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