Psalm 118.13-14
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
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Whenever I’ve felt backed into a corner, I can feel emotionally claustrophobic. But even when in a corner, I often feel as if there is still some hope of getting out of that tough situation. In Psalm 118, however, the psalmist says he was pushed so hard that he “was falling.” The feeling of falling off a cliff is a thousand times more devastating than being trapped in a corner! There are times when I feel as though all hope is lost and my heart is filled with anxiety and fear, and I can’t even imagine being out of such grief or sorrow.
The Word is filled with the honest prayers and confessions of God’s people, and I know that I don’t have to be afraid to admit and confess similar thoughts, fears, and feelings. This helps me realize that these dizzying times of brokenness and weakness are actually the straightest path to the strong fortress of God. As a matter of fact, it is precisely when I begin to feel as if I have been pushed beyond my limits that I truly find real strength that comes only from Christ in me.
When you get to
the end of yourself,
you get to
the beginning of Christ.
-C.H. Spurgeon
I can often feel trapped or alone, sometimes as if I am paralyzed or confused, with my tears becoming my food (Psalm 42.3). Like Paul in 2 Corinthians 4.7-18, I can be afflicted on every front, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down, falling off a cliff. But the second half of Psalm 118.13 is my great comfort: “but the Lord helped me.” In the midst of these sufferings, in His mercy He comforts me. In my suffering and grief, He is near me (Psalm 34.18). When I seek Him only to change my situation, I can miss out on the greater gift and miracle, which is knowing Him more deeply and experiencing His right hand upholding me (Isaiah 41.10-11). In my despair and darkness, the light of the Lord’s love, mercy, power, and strength shines most brightly.
I know now, oh Lord,
why you utter no answer.
You are Yourself the answer.
Before Your face
questions die away.
What other answer would suffice?
-C.S. Lewis
Read Again Out Loud and Make it into a Prayer:
Psalm 118.13-14
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Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:
Psalm 42.1–6
1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
and lead them in procession
to the house of God with glad shouts
and songs of praise,
a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation 6 and my God.
My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
from Mount Mizar.
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Pray Aloud:
Father in Heaven,
I thank You that You have adopted me
and You call me Yours.
I am asking You to cause Your Name
to be magnified in __________,
and that this would transform ________,
causing Your will to be done in their life.
Give __________ truth
that they need today,
that Your Spirit would bring
Your promises to mind,
helping _______ to repent of sin.
Lead _______ heart away
from temptation,
but instead be led by Your Spirit
towards the love of Jesus.
