2008-03-06 - My Sighing

Psalm 5:1-3 For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. ² Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. ³ In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. (NIV)

The there is something to be said for looking at different translations of the Bible. Most translations are from a very few texts. I will not debate the merits of each, but only recognize that they are there. The translations are done in different times which will affect the translation. Language changes with time. Some translations have a primary focus of pure accuracy while another may aim for readability with accuracy. As an example, the best word for the translation might be sighing (NIV) as is listed in verse one above. Other translations render the word meditation (NASB), or groaning (KJV), etc. Each of these has a different context to us while overlapping in meaning. When I hear or read the word meditation it brings to mind a more peaceful, contemplative thought than the word groaning. But meditation can also mean the person is mediating in a time of trial. If you are not sure what a word means, try it in another translation or two.

Consider my sighing. David is praying to God. It becomes clear quickly that this song is written in a time of trouble for David. He asks God to hear his words and then to consider the feelings that David is unable to put into words. If you have lived long enough, you have been in the place where words can not adequately describe the pain, the sadness or the disappointment, or the unspeakable joy for that matter. The Creator that spoke light into existence out of nothing with a single word, knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7). If He cares to keep track of this small detail of your life, how much will He care for the deep, anguished groaning in your heart?

Even in this time of trouble, and perhaps especially in this time of trouble, David meets God in the morning. He takes the time to lay out his requests before his Lord. He does one other thing that our busy society does not willingly allow. He waits. David waits on God with expectation, he looks up (KJV), or eagerly watches (NAS). There is anticipation of an answer, of provision for these requests. I can not say that I have this kind of expectation every day, and that tells me that I need to learn to be expectant perhaps.

David continues to meet with God every morning in spite of the fact that there is a struggle in his life. I have two friends who are dealing with severe trials in their lives. I am assured in my heart that they both meet God in the morning with their sighing. Sometimes the answer is "not yet, keep praying", or "no, that's not my best for you". If the answer is no, there is the expectation that there is a better path to take. Then there are the days that bring, "Yes my child." I was focused on dependence on God by a friend this morning. I am a very capable person, so dependence is not often my first thought. "How do I solve the problem and move on?", is more likely the case. I'm certain there are times when this has led me deeper into my problems. My impatience and lack of dependence has caused me to miss God's best for me.

God knows our hearts and our tears even better than we know them ourselves. Then why do we have to share them since He knows? He created us to have fellowship with us. And that fellowship includes the good times and the bad times. There are more lessons in the valleys of life than there are on the mountain tops. The mountain tops are breath-taking and special. But the revelations and the friendships that come from trials in the valleys are also very precious. God wants us to share both our trials and our joys with Him too.

Selah.

Grace & Peace,
Mike

mike.hoskins@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org