It’s crisis time for David. But spot the strange requests as you…
Read Psalms 141:1
Provoked…
• How desperate is David (v 1-2)?
• But, strangely, what is he chiefly concerned about?
Curiously, in the face of great provocation, David pleads with God for self-control. He is desperate not to retaliate with vicious words (v 3), or to get involved in his opponents’ tactics (v 4)—but only to be remembered for speaking with gracious
words (v 6).
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PRAY THRU
So let’s admit it. Despite the calm exterior, we’re often boiling with rage inside, thinking about how we’re going to “get them back” or imagining cruel and unusual punishments for those who rub us up the wrong way. If you’re anything like me, then you are particularly vulnerable to this kind of thinking when you are behind the wheel of the car...
Perhaps it’s time to take a leaf from David’s book, and pray verses 3-5...
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… but protected
Why is it that David can behave so sensibly, humbly and spiritually, when his bones are crying out for revenge?
• See the answers in verses 6-8?
He has learned to leave judgment in the hands of the one just Judge, trusting that He will vindicate His chosen one...
• How about you?
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TIME OUT
Although this psalm is written by David, it is also the song of great David’s greater son, who supremely showed self control before His false accusers, and entrusted Himself, life, body and soul to the One who could vindicate Him.
Compare Luke 23:8 with Psalms 141:3; and Luke 23:47 with Psalms 141:6.
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