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For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! (Psalm 143:11, ESV)
Psalm 143 is unique. It lists a step-by-step process of freedom from discouragement.
As a pastor for 49 years, when dealing with a follower of Jesus depressed by a life situation, I felt my best advice would be for this person to read Psalm 143 over and over and then follow these steps. . .
Pray Confidently
Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! (v. 1)
It takes practice (more like a habit) to get up and say, “God, you are faithful and righteous!” Too often, our ingrained attitudes release negative accusations and complaints.
No matter the situation, get your spirit, soul, and brain ingrained to begin every prayer with a praise of the goodness of God.
Be Honest
Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled (v. 4).
I’ve found freedom in honesty. Others will betray us, we succumb to the flesh, and events spiral out of control, but denial increases and never decreases our discouragement.
Be truthful; it sets us free.
Remember!
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands (v. 5).
Memory management stands between happy and unhappy aging.
My mother, who worked for years in a nursing home, often said, “There are two types of people in a nursing home, those sweet as lambs and those mean as snakes. And the difference is what they talk about.”
If we learn to alleviate mistakes and miscues of self and others by grace, then the joy of the Lord will continue, replacing bad memories with hope for the future.
Urgency
Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! (v. 7a)
It’s good to wait, but not for years.
Are we focused more on agony than release, repentance than victory, and the struggle rather than the finish line? I’m not demeaning the difficulty of our walk with Jesus, only that our Lord wants to give us the desires of our hearts rather than dangle them as tortuous enticements.
When praying, let’s ask God to answer immediately.
What’s the conclusion of Psalm 143’s “free from discouragement” path of confidence, honesty, memory management, and urgency? As David sums up his struggles. . .
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust (v. 8a).
Amen. Peace out!