Psalm 31: A Broken Vessel-Supplication through the Scriptures
Psalm 31
A Broken Vessel
Faith is the foundation of prayer.
Charles Spurgeon
In this world affected by the curse, there are many that are vulnerable. The vulnerable are those who are more susceptible to physical, mental, or emotional harm for a variety of reasons. For some it could be because of their age, young or old, or because of their position in their job or family, or worse, because someone has some kind of power or influence over them and is using it in a sinful way. Let’s pray for those who are in vulnerable situations, crying out to the Lord to see their need, strengthen their heart, and deliver them.
Deliver Me!
31:1-5 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
Let’s pray:
▫️The vulnerable would take refuge in the Lord, and in His righteousness He would deliver them from the situation that is causing them distress.
▫️The Lord would rescue them speedily, protect them as their rock of refuge, their strong fortress, for He has said, “will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you He will bring about justice for them quickly” (Luke 18:7-8a).
▫️When they are weak, the Lord would lead them in the right direction to meet their needs, and He would guide them with great care.
▫️The Lord would even rescue them from situations they are unaware of because others have dealt with them shrewdly.
▫️They would commit their spirit to our faithful God, entrusting themselves to Him, for He is the God of truth, and justice will prevail for His name’s sake.
The God Who Sees
31:6-8 I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord. I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
Let’s pray:
▫️The hurting and needy would rely on the Lord and in His steadfast love for them.
▫️They would rejoice and be glad in the faithful love of God, even in their desperate situation.
▫️They would know, that even if no one else is aware of their suffering, the Lord sees their affliction, He knows the distress of their soul. He is the God Who Sees.
▫️The Lord would deliver them from the hand of their enemy and put them in a place of safety, free from those who are oppressing them.
A Broken Vessel
31:9-13 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away. Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. For I hear the whispering of many— terror on every side!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
Let’s pray:
▫️In their distress, the Lord would be gracious to them, and He would comfort them in their grief, sorrow, and sighing. What causes grief for the vulnerable? Regret over past decision? Sorrow over the life they hoped to have? Feelings of desperation in a situation that has lasted a long time?
▫️They would be aware of the danger of bitterness, resentment, self pity, envy, and unforgiveness and flee from those things.
▫️The Lord would comfort them when it seems others are avoiding them in their painful circumstance perhaps not knowing what to say in this time of affliction.
▫️When they feel very broken, they would cling to the truth, “The Lord heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3), and a broken and contrite heart, God will not despise (Psalm 51:17).
▫️If they are fearful, the Lord would give them His peace, and they would trust Him and His ways. Of what might they be fearful? Future provision? The opinions of others? Real danger?
Trust
31:14-18 But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! O Lord, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol. Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.
Let’s pray:
▫️The vulnerable would confidently submit themselves to the Lord saying, “I trust You, O LORD; You are my God. My times are in Your hand.”
▫️The Sovereign Lord would rescue them from their enemies and make His face shine on them! Their place of vulnerability would be turned by the Lord to be used by Him to bring about good.
▫️Their enemies who have sought their hurt would be put to shame, and if there are lies, they would be silenced and truth would prevail.
His Abundant Goodness
31:19-22 Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. I had said in my alarm, "I am cut off from your sight." But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.
Let’s pray:
▫️Those who are depending on the Lord for refuge would see His abundant goodness toward them that He has stored up and worked for them on their behalf. The Lord would show them today a sign for good that they would know He sees their suffering.
▫️The Lord would hide them in the secret place of His presence. As they are walking this difficult road, His presence would surround them and they would be drawn nearer to Him.
▫️If they face false accusations, lies, gossip, manipulation, or slander, the Lord would shelter them from the strife of tongues, He would uncover the things hidden, and truth would be known.
▫️The God of heaven would wondrously show His steadfast love to them, and they would rest in the knowledge that they are never cut off from His sight. The Lord is the God Who Sees.
▫️They would rejoice in the confidence of knowing the Lord has heard their pleas for mercy when they cried to Him for help.
Take Courage
31:23-24 Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
Let’s pray:
▫️Their distress and affliction would produce a deep, abiding love for Christ their King.
▫️The Lord would preserve them and help them to remain steadfast.
▫️Even in the hardships they face, and feeling exposed and vulnerable, they would faithfully walk with the Lord trusting His goodness.
▫️They would be strong and take courage as they wait and hope in the Lord.
May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Such is the life of faith. The outcome is uncertain; but faith lets God be God-by responding to him in love, by living in the strength of faith, by obeying his word, and by waiting in the hope of redemption.
VanGemeren
Photo credit to Venerala
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