Focal Passage: Psalm 141:1-10
Over the course of my life most of my prayers have been prayers of petition. I believe many of you would probably say that is true of your prayers as well. As I have grown in my faith, elements of praise, thanksgiving and confession have been added, but even still, the plea of my heart is almost always involved.
David begins his prayer with an offering of praise in Psalm 141. He desires for God to collect his prayer as if it was an offering of incense. Why? David longs to please God even in his prayers and writings.
In verse three, David beseeches God for His protection. First, David asks for protection from his own sinful ways: his mouth, heart and actions. Next, David wants God to allow him to receive instruction and correction from the righteous – much like Hebrews 12 encourages us to accept God’s discipline. We all need correction at times. Third, David wants nothing to do with wickedness. Can you say the same about yourself? Or do you enjoy the choice morsel of gossip or the inappropriate television show?
David closes this Psalm seeking God’s protection and promise. David knows who has granted him success and safety and he will continue to seek that refuge from the Lord. He also knows that there are traps all around him, temptations to snare him and evil people who want to ruin him. It is the same for us today.
There is wickedness in us, otherwise known as our sinful nature and the evil of the world lurks around us too. But God is immutable. If He was our refuge in the past, then He is our refuge in the present and the future. He does not change. His character remains the same. No matter what we face, we can turn to God and obtain help for the situation.