A CRY FOR HELP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Dearly Beloved, A CRY FOR HELP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION “Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness” (Psalm 143:1 NKJV). Who would you run to when you find yourself in an unpleasant situation? Would you rely on your strength, exposure, experience or connection with some powerful people in such time? King David found himself in a situation he did not like when he wrote Psalm 143. He lamented: “For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed” (verses 3-4 NKJV). He did not disclose this enemy. Probably the enemy was King Saul (his predecessor), Absalom (his son), or one of other unnamed enemies that rose against King David in his lifetime. What is certain is that the situation really affected him emotionally. In spite of this, King David did not rely on his military or royal strength. He did not rely on his exposure or experience as a skilled warrior. He did not rely on any other powerful king for help. Instead, he called for help in the right direction: the LORD God. This right direction is manifested in many ways through the psalm. One, David prayed to God not because of his (that is, David’s) righteousness or uprightness, but he wanted God to answer him in God’s faithfulness and righteousness (see verse 1). Two, he considered himself and every other person as unrighteous before God (verse 2). Three, he remembered the goodness of God to him in the past (verse 5). Four, he wanted God to answer him quickly by rescuing him from his enemies and letting him experience the faithfulness of God again (verses 7-9). Four, in his travail, he still desired to be taught of the will of God (verse 10) and have a better relationship with God (verse 11). Then, lastly, he wanted God to get rid of his enemies (verse 12). What indeed a cry for help in the right direction! No one is immune from unpleasant situations. However, your attitude towards the situation and the direction where you seek help for the situation will determine how you will overcome it. Only God can rescue you from unpleasant situations. Call on Him because of who He is! Do not rely on your strength, exposure, experience or connection with some powerful people. Arms of men will fail you (compare 2 Chronicles 32:7-8; Psalms 111:8-9; 118: 8-9; Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 30:1-5; 31:1-3; Jeremiah 17:5-6). Do not rely on your righteousness or who you are before Him. Come to Him as an undeserving servant. Also, no matter the situation, desire to have a better relationship with God because if you draw near to God in your travails, He will not only be with you, He will also rescue you from the travails and make you better. These are the ways to cry for help in the right direction. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will learn to cry for help in the right direction when you find yourself in any unpleasant situation.