Psalm
143 reminds me of a euphemism that many of us have used, and sadly
have experienced. Most commonly, in the wee hours, after imbibing
too much alcohol, we say someone was “driving the porcelain bus”,
meaning they spent the night with their head in the toilet;
eliminating the content of their stomach. Frequently, in that
situation, you hear people literally calling out to God, making
bargains and promises of “never again”. For many, in the
morning, their cries to God are forgotten. The psalm begins, “O
Lord…
listen
to my cry for mercy… come to my relief. Do not bring your servant
into judgment…The enemy pursues me… he makes me dwell in darkness
like those long dead… my spirit grows faint within me“.
Many situations in life can bring us to our knees, but then what?
Do we spew curses, or lay in our mess, or become open to change?
David writes, “I
remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all Your works and
consider what Your hands have done“.
I believe that though many young people drift away for a time, there
is a promise parents cling to, “Train
a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn
from it” (Proverbs
22:6). We can have that moment of understanding at any age; when we
apply a Sunday school lesson to our adult life. When God’s Word
becomes real to us, a permanent change happens. “Let
the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my
trust in You“. After
this kind of change, our morning prayer becomes, “Teach
me to do Your will, for You are my God“.
Friend, how long will you keep trying to sleep it off?
The
psalm transitions as David writes from his new perspective, “For
Your Name’s sake, O Lord… in Your righteousness, bring me out of
trouble“. He now
desires to represent God and trust God. It is a new morning and
things are different. He now simply promises God, “I
am Your servant“. Luke
16:13 reminds us, “No
servant can serve two masters“.
What will you do in the morning?
Psalm 144 describes the battle that
follows. The moment you publicly announce that you are living for
Christ, some people will test you and Satan will tempt you. David
prepared for war, but he is now staying close to God, “the
LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war… my loving God and my
fortress… my
stronghold…
my
deliverer…
my shield… subdues peoples under me“.
David describes his new perspective. He is no longer angry with
God, or expecting everything to be perfect, but he is confident that
God is in command of his life. “I
will sing a new song to You… to the One who gives victory… who
delivers
His
servant David“. Next
comes the amazing part; after we stop bargaining with God and start
trusting Him, our life seems to gain balance. David continues, “our
sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our
daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our barns
will be filled… our oxen will draw heavy loads… There will be
no
breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress“.
David concluded, “Blessed
are the people whose God is the LORD“.
Jesus taught those that are
selfishly pursuing the finest things in life, “But
seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well”
(Matthew 6:33). Are you ready for a change? Maybe it’s time you
stop driving that bus?