Lamenting like David – 2

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Are you afraid God doesn’t want to hear your complaints? Do you ever have a feeling you are enduring things that shouldn’t be happening to you? How about waiting for something good to happen? Why me or why not me? David’s life was full of waiting, enemies, and strife! And he knew his direct line to God was the best way for him to cry out! If you read the books of first and second Samuel, you see the long and arduous road David endures to becoming King. Even though he is anointed as King early on by the prophet Samuel, he spends years fleeing from a jealous and hateful Saul. And David was just being himself! First, David was a skilled warrior, and he had a lot of success! He was also a skilled musician who played the harp for Saul when he was feeling mentally unwell. Saul was deeply jealous of David—jealous of his skill, jealous of the favor God showed to David, and jealous of the relationship David had with his son Jonathan. Not only did Saul throw a spear at David, but he charged his entire army to kill him. Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days (1 Samuel 18:29). Sometimes we are confronted with things, and we really don’t know why. We are truly being ourselves, giving our best and our all. Are we like David, seeking feedback? In 1 Samuel 20:1, David asks Johnathan, “What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin before your father that he seeks my life?” David never received a good worldly answer from his dear friend Jonathan. In the Psalms, David’s laments to the Lord during this time are many, but Psalm 142:1-2 highlights his desperation. With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him (Psalm 142:1-2). David goes on to talk about how traps have been set for him and that no one cares for his soul. Have you ever felt this? You ask for help and it seems there is none in sight? Have you ever felt like no one cares for your soul? David knew God cared for him, and he poured his complaint to God when he had no one else in the world to ask: why me?! God wants to hear your complaints. He wants to be there to remind you he is for you in this deep time of lament.