Today’s reading is Psalm 142.
When My Spirit Faints Within Me
Have you ever been at the point of giving up? Have you ever been at the point you could say, “My spirit is fainting within me”? Have you ever been at the end of your rope and you just didn’t think you’d be able to hang on any longer?
David seems to be at that point in Psalm 147. For the third psalm in a row, we see his complaints about traps and snares hidden in his path. In this psalm, not only does David face enemies, but he has no human advocate at his right hand. He’s trying to navigate this minefield by himself.
“My spirit faints within me,” David declares. But!
But, David takes heart. He says to the Lord, “You know my way!” This statement covers a lot of ground. On the one hand, God knows David’s ways. That is, God knows how David has behaved. He knows how David thinks, speaks, acts. Recall Psalm 139:3 and its context. God knows David inside and out. At the same time, God knows the way on which David is walking. That is, God can see the traps and snares. He can protect David from what the enemies put before him (Psalm 140:4-5). Additionally, God knows the way David should go, the way he needs to go. That is, God can lead David on the proper path of righteousness (Psalm 1:6) and can do so even when the way is dark (Psalm 23:4).
This explains why David is praying. His spirit is fainting. He’s at the end of his rope. He doesn’t know what to do next. But he knows God does. So he prays. He prays for mercy. He prays for direction. He prays for deliverance. And in the end, he is certain the righteous will surround him in victory. His way will not perish, because he will follow God’s way (Psalm 1:6). He will not perish on the way, because he takes refuge in God (Psalm 2:12).
Are you at the end of your rope? Tie a prayer knot at the end of it, reach out to God, and recall that He knows you and He knows your way. Keep your eyes on Him until He brings His mercy to bear in your life. He will do it.
Praise the Lord!
Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 142.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does Psalm 142 admonish you?
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