I Stretch Out My Hands to You – Psalm 143

At the risk of being too autobiographical, I was here in my illness.  The only way through was talking openly and honestly to God about it.  After all, He already knew my heart, so why not be honest and open.  My spirit was failing, but He put me on level ground.

A Psalm of David.

Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy!  In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!  Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.

For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.  Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.  I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

Answer me quickly, O LORD!  My spirit fails!  Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.  Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.  Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD!  I have fled to you for refuge.  Teach me to do your will, for you are my God!  Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life!  In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!  And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.  (Psalm 143 ESV)

What should we do when we feel crushed by our enemy and like our spirit cannot take any more?  We should talk to God, even if we have been talking to Him and still awaiting deliverance.  We should be open to His probing to see whether sin is playing any part.  We should remember what He has done for us in the past and let that make us even thirstier for Him.  We should seek His instruction so we will know what He wants us to do morally and spiritually.  We should anticipate that His steadfast love will bring our souls out of trouble.