Where we turn

Where do we turn when things are against us?  When people are against us?  It’s a question that David had to ask himself numerous times.

He could have, as so many people do, turned to himself.  To his wisdom, to his strength to get him out of the situation.

But instead he turned to God.  From the very beginning of Psalm 143, he prays,

O LORD, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;

in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.  (Psalm 143:1)

And in the midst of his darkness, in the midst of his despair, he cried out,

Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.

Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD,
for I hide myself in you.

Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit lead me
on level ground.  (8-10)

How often do we take things into our own hands, instead of hiding ourselves in God.  How often do we trust in our own wisdom instead of listening to him and what he says we should do?

David didn’t do this.  Instead, he always looked to God for wisdom on what to do.  And he trusted in God’s Spirit to lead him.

So as the apostle James put it,

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  (James 1:5)