SOMETIMES IT HELPS IF IT HURTS –

Every pilgrim knew that going to the Holy City to celebrate and offer God His rightful praise and worship, also involved the need to petition their Heavenly Father for strength and faith to carry on in spite of all the negative circumstances that went against them; trying them and their dedication to the One True God they served. So the compilers of the Psalter chose another psalm of David for the pilgrims to sing as they stood in the Holy Sanctuary. No one faced more danger and persecution than David as he tried to remain loyal in his quest to fulfill God’s will for his life. The important thing was that David was willing to accept any responsibility for actions that may have led to the difficult situation he faced, such as his dealing with Absalom that led to a rebellion which almost cost him the throne. His willingness to own up to his weaknesses made him stronger and more successful for God.

“O LORD Eternal, I come to You in prayer, because You’re known for Your reliability to answer; so please listen to my cry for mercy. I’m depending on Your kindness toward me as Your servant, not to hold this against me; no person claiming to be perfect could stand guiltless before You. But my integrity is being attacked; the person behind it has driven me into hiding; he has forced me to disappear from sight; like someone who suddenly died. I’m sick to my stomach; my heart is numbed by my pain. Yet, I lift my hands toward heaven as I think back to the good days, and am reminded of all the wonderful things You’ve done for me, and reflect on everything You helped me accomplish; because I need Your refreshing like parched ground needs water. So please respond quickly, O LORD Eternal, I’m totally exhausted; I beg You not to turn away from me; don’t let me end up in the grave. By morning let me sense Your sustaining arms wrapped around me, for I trust You to the fullest. I need to know how to cope with this, and I’m depending on You to show me the way. You’re the only one who can rescue me from this dilemma, O LORD Eternal, that’s why I’m running to You for help. I need to learn how to do things Your way, for You are my One True God. Therefore, let Your Spirit guide me to where I need to be. So in Your kindness, and for Your sake, O LORD Eternal, keep me going and lead me out of this distressful situation. And since You love me with an undying love, get rid of those who are causing all this turmoil. I am asking this of You as Your servant.” Psalm 143:1-12

Reflection: Monica Dickens tells the story of David, a 2-years old boy with leukemia, who was taken by his mother, Deborah, to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston to see Dr. John Truman, a specialist in treating children with cancer and various blood diseases. Dr. Truman’s diagnosis proved devastating, and he told her that little David only had a 50-50 chance of surviving. The countless clinic visits, the blood tests, the intravenous drugs that followed, and the resulting fear and anxiety brought the mother so much stress because she had to stand by and watch her boy’s pain and suffering. But her little David never cried in the waiting room; he always ran ahead of his mother with a smile, looking for the warm welcome he always received, in spite of the fact that those same friends would stick painful needles into his body. When he turned three years old, David needed a spinal tap – a painful procedure at any age. They explained to him that because of his sickness, Dr. Truman needed to do something to make him feel better. “If it hurts,” his mother cautioned him, “remember, it’s because Dr. Truman loves you.” The procedure proved horrendous. It took three nurses to hold little David down while he yelled and sobbed and struggled. When it finally ended, the tiny lad soaked with sweat and tears, looked up at the doctor and gasped, “Thank you, Dr. Truman, for my hurting.” King David faced a similar procedure, although not quite as painful. Yet he saw the same thing his little name-sake saw, that God allowed all of this for his good; to make him a better healthier person to complete the plans and opportunities that lay ahead. That’s why big David, like little David, did not resist even though he knew it would hurt. My, what great examples these two David’s provide us in how to face trying and agonizing experiences in our lives. So the next time God puts you through a procedure that causes pain and suffering, just look up to Him and say, as little David did, “Thank you, LORD, for my hurting.”