Asking God To Relieve Our Suffering

LORD, have mercy on me.

See how my enemies torment me.

Snatch me back from the jaws of death.

Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates,

so I can rejoice that you have rescued me. . . .

Arise, O LORD!

Do not let mere mortals defy you!

Judge the nations!

Make them tremble in fear, O LORD.

Let the nations know they are merely human.

Psalm 9:13-14, 19-20

Life is difficult enough without people seeking to attack us in one way or another. But as David quickly learned when he became king, the more responsibility and power we are given, the more enemies oppose us. When we are being attacked by our enemies, we instinctively fight back. But as this prayer shows, our first response to opposition should be to bring the situation to God in prayer. Instead of plotting how he could destroy his enemies, David identified how his current predicament could bring glory and honor to God.

What difficult and troublesome situations have you gone through? Submit those situations to God, and ask him to save you so that you may rejoice in him.

• Dear Lord, you know how I am tormented. Please save me so I can rejoice in you . . .