Prayer is Shouting-Oh Lord, how many are my foes!

Psalm 3:1,8
O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! … From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.

When I read back over my journals the past year, a repeated prayer has been for my house in Eagle River, WI to sell. The financial burden of keeping two homes up and running is staggering. It seems rather selfish when I read through Psalms and recognize the more serious trials people face.  But I am coming to realize that we all have things that are a real burden or concern.

This home represents more than a strain on my finances, it is a constant reminder of what should have been.  It is a reminder of dreams that never came to pass.  I am sure many of us can relate to this.  I have garnered much comfort from reading the Psalms, wisdom and direction too.  David's written words are very real and down to earth.  They speak to the everyday person.

David had enemies, even enemies from within his own family.  He was fleeing from his son, Absalom in this psalm.  I wondered for a moment why a mighty warrior such as David would run from a fight, but then realized he probably didn't want to face down his son.  Probably the last thing he wanted was to have to fight him, the same child he may have rocked to sleep as an infant. The young boy he loved and cared for, not to mention brought into this world.

Like David, when I contemplate the litany of difficulties I face in this world, I am compelled to Praise God.  He is a constant source of strength and hope and peace and happiness.  When I cry out to God I know he hears, no matter if I am being self-centered or not.  David knew that too.  That is why he continued to turn to God when things got tough.  He continued to rely on God for all of his needs to be met.

That is a lesson I can learn from David and from his Book of Psalms. 


Read or listen to Psalm 1,2,3 here.