Crying, Laying, Waiting
“Give ear to my word, O Lord,
Consider my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.”
Psalm 5:1-3
What do you need or want to lay before our Lord on this day?
It was late and a friend and I had foolishly caught a subway train into downtown Tokyo. It was our first night in Japan and we were so excited to see the city that we found our way in, but quickly realized we were at a loss as to how to find our way back home.
If you know the Japanese culture, you know that they take hospitality very seriously toward others, even strangers. Fortunately, we found someone who could tell we were lost and quickly came to our aid. In no time, our cry for help was heard and we headed back to our temporary home.
The Psalm above is David’s earnest cry for help. Though David, a king, no doubt had many things at his disposal, there were times when his power was not enough. When he was at his wit's end, he would cry out to God. We see these kinds of prayers throughout the Psalms. In this case, David feels beset by enemies and desperately seeks to be delivered and guided to a place of rescue.
Be honest. If you were to cry out to God for some deep need, what would it be? Something as simple as more money in the bank? More time with loved ones? A moment’s peace? Perhaps something more desperate: a broken relationship restored, a child who has run off the rails, a job situation that seems hopeless or an undiagnosed illness.
David is bold, is he not? “Give ear… consider… listen …” These are almost spoken as commands! But of course, we know they are the utterings of one who has nowhere else to turn. What keeps us from coming to God with those desperate cries? Maybe we feel God cannot be fully trusted. Perhaps we believe we can manage it better on our own. But when the deep need hits a brick wall, David shows us to Whom we should take it — without reservation, without doubt. David shows that we should take such a need to God with certainty, waiting in expectation for God’s meeting of that need.
I like how Richard Foster counsels us on this point of bringing our needs to God:
“Jesus taught us to pray for daily bread. Have you ever noticed that children ask for lunch in utter confidence that it will be provided. They have no need to stash away today’s sandwiches for fear none will be available tomorrow. As far as they are concerned, there is an endless supply of sandwiches. Children do not find it difficult or complicated to talk to their parents, nor do they feel embarrassed to bring the simplest need to their attention. Neither should we hesitate to bring the simplest request to the Father.”[1]
I am so thankful my friend and I ran into that kind fellow late at night in a strange country. I am grateful he seemed to almost know our need before we laid it before him. As we did, and waited for his guidance, sure enough, he delivered.
How much more will God meet your deepest need? Bring it to Him … now.
No need to hold back now – lay it before God. Make a list if you need to do so… cry if so inclined; whisper if so moved; yell if you think it makes the point … and then, as David did, wait … just wait and see how God will meet your deep need with His gracious hospitality.
A Prayer
O God,
Early in the morning I cry unto you.
Help me to pray
And to think only of you.
I cannot pray alone.
In me there is darkness
But with you there is light.
I am lonely but you leave me not.
I am feeble in heart but you leave me not.
I am restless but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
Your ways are past understanding, but
You know the way for me.
O heavenly Father,
I praise and thank you
For the peace of the night.
I praise and thank you for this new day.
I praise and thank you for all your goodness
and faithfulness throughout my life.
You have granted me many blessings:
Now let me accept tribulation from your hand.
You will not lay on me more than I can bear.
You make all things work together for good
For your children.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, d. 1945
Written in 1943 for his fellow prisoners[2]
[1] Foster, Celebration, p. 40-41.
[2] Dd, p. 286-287.
