Passage: Psalm 39
The Big Idea
David tries to keep silent, but the fire burns inside him. So he asks God to show him how short and fragile life is. Seeing his frailty strips away every other hope: And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.
Reflections
I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue (vv. 1-3). My ways are proud and flesh-sourced, and my mouth spills what’s in my heart. I want to shut that down. I often excuse my flesh because of other people’s sin. Shut my mouth. These tests are hard, like a fire raging inside. Silence is painful. Sadness turns to anger, and my flesh must be put to death. So I pray.
Lord, make me to know my end (vv. 4-6). Teach me the truth: I’m weak, guilty, frail and desperate. My flesh doesn’t want to believe it, so convince me. Help me see how short life is and how little I control. My wisdom and flesh mean nothing in the long run. What’s the point of all our striving? We’ll die. My flesh doesn’t want to think about that because I value my life too much. Help me see You first.
And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You (v. 7). I don’t put my hope in my work or flesh. Only in You. Waiting is the opposite of hoping in myself.
Deliver me from all my transgressions (vv. 8-11). I need You to deliver me from my flesh and sin. I can’t save myself. I have nothing to say in my defense. Your hand of discipline is enough to convince me. You’re right to help me by humbling my flesh; it needs to die. I don’t need its proud beauty. It melts away like a moth-eaten garment.
Hear my prayer, O Lord (vv. 12-13). You’re all I have. There’s no other hope, so I pray in humility and faith. I am a stranger with You, a sojourner. Finish Your work in me. I need Your Spirit to transform me and give me life.
Grace Takeaway
Life is a breath. That’s not a reason for despair, but for dependence. Let go of every other hope, and say with David, “My hope is in You.”
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