Hiding from God
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fea and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can reount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O Lord. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and truth always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me and and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs on my head, and my heart fails within me. Be pleased, O Lord, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me. May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, “The Lord be exalted!” Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and deliverer; O my God, do not delay.
I love the verse in bold. David is just laying out his heart, flaws and all before the Lord. He doesn’t even try to hide his guilt or his fear. He knows how to show God respect, though. There are no psalms as far as I know where David does not praise the Lord at all. He understands the seriousness of worshipping his Creator and laying his requests before Him. There is no point to being false with God. Sometimes when I pray, I don’t really acknowledge the ugly things in my heart. I think that if I pretend they aren’t there, they will eventually go away. But God sees through my fakery and He desires me to bring Him EVERYTHING, not just the everyday troubles, but the deep, dark secrets as well. He wants me to bring it all to the Cross and let go of my shame and guilt.
