Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave? I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Have you ever felt like God has gone missing in areas of your life where your need is great? I have. Sometimes the very areas we ask him for provision are the areas we don’t see him.

The Psalmist here is in great anguish. He weeps and wails for God to return to his side and help his people. There is a humility about his lament, as well. I notice he is not proud, claiming all of the things he can credit to himself that he has done for God. Instead, he recognizes his sin and asks for God to be merciful and save him so he can proclaim his name.

And he knows the heart of God. He knows God hears those who seek him and dedicate their lives to his work. With this confidence, he calls out his enemies and tells them that God has heard him and they should beware!

In his anguish and distress he looks for the hand of God and hopes confidently in the provision of God. This is a great formula for success in trials — STAY FOCUSED on God.

I have found that while some areas of my life are a challenge, God may be working in other areas. So I have had to ask myself this tough question: Will I trust God with the areas unresolved, in order to see his work in others areas and join him in joy to see how he blesses others through me?

Lord, thank you for this great Psalm that describes a tough process of wrestling in life, yet trusting you. My hope is in you in all things. I will wait on you as I work hard to serve you.