Psalm 43 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 43 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me!
Verse 2For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy?
Verse 3O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.
Verse 4Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
Verse 5Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.
Devotion
Some of you who read this may or will be experiencing a bad or down day. Or you have had such a day within memory or fear such a day is on its way. This world can be a tough place in which to live. On such a day it may be hard to pray. It could be that is why 1/3 of the Psalms are laments like this one provided to help us. Maybe Psalm 43 has the words to pray on such an occasion. It begins, not with the lament itself, but with a petition. Our God is one who hears not only beautiful or joyous prayers, but also tough ones we wish we did not have to pray. We need not wait to talk to the Lord until we are feeling better. The door to heaven is open and the internet is working. Just talking to such a receptive hearer may do the job, and the positive outcome is well-worded here.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for hearing my laments as well as my joys. Amen.