A Daily Purpose (Day 58)

Contributing Writer: Holly Rigos

Have you ever felt wrongly accused? Trapped by rumors, gossip, and/or false accusations?

Even the man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) felt despair and suffering. 

Despair, suffering, tragedy, and persecution will come. It is up to us to learn how to pray with lament, praise, and confession to the Lord just as King David did in the Book of Psalms and to learn from their mistakes.

In Psalms 43, it is suspected that King David is making applications to God concerning the damage done by his enemies and harm done by his own hands.

King David was usurped by his son, Absalom. He lost his kingdom, throne, children, home, and identity. Absalom claimed that David had lost the favor of God.

King David ignored the sins of his children and neglected the duties of being a righteous father. It led to this unfortunate opportunity of suffering which is where we find him in Psalms 43.

1 Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked. 2 You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? 3 Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why, my soul, are you downcast? 5 Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior, and my God. Psalms 43:1‭-‬5 NIV

In our darkest moments of suffering, we have the opportunity to draw closer to God just like King David.

This is a desperate prayer and lament to the Lord. Only the Lord God is our judge and David is pleading his case to the one judge that matters. He acknowledges God as his stronghold. A shield against the inevitable daggers of harm coming from his enemies. He even questions God’s judgment but quickly turns it back to petitioning for God’s light, faithful care, and guidance. Seeking God’s kingdom. Praising God!

Are you suffering right now? Does it feel like an unfaithful, deceitful, and wicked nation is oppressing you? Or perhaps, it is a friend, relative, or spouse?

I would encourage you to use this prayer and turn it into a personal prayer of lamentation, praise, and confession to the Lord! He will vindicate you and make you dwell on high as long as you surrender your will.