Ever complain to God?

Out loud with words or crying out within your soul?

David, the man after God’s own heart, did many times.

This Psalm is one example.

He starts by royally complaining.

From the depths of his soul he wonders how long God will forget him.

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (verse 1)

He then tries to console himself.

We all do, when we fail to hear from God.

Or we think we don’t.

He forgets he can choose to praise God instead.

He focuses, instead, on his sorrow.

Again, like we all do.

David goes on: How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? (verse 2).

David again pleads, sharing with God he will die if his sorrow remains apart from God’s peace.

He desperately wants God to intervene so his enemies don’t take pleasure in David’s weakness.

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death. Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. (verse 3 & 4).

David ends the psalm by choosing to praise God.

He remembers how faithful God has been to him.

That, in turn, helps David realize God will again bring him out of the depths.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me. (verse 5 & 6).

Maybe David has found the key.

The key to reconnecting our mind, soul, and body to the One who created us.

Praise.

Choosing to praise even in the midst.

Even when every fiber of our being wants to remain wallowing in the pit of self pity.

Praise the Lord even if.

Praise the Lord even if you don’t feel like it.

You will remember how faithful He has always been in every circumstance.

And you will suddenly lift your eyes, knowing He will once again show Himself.

As He will again the next time.

And the next.

Photos by Priscilla Du Preez, Rainier Ridao, Zac Durant, Jon Tyson, & Guillaume de Germain on Unsplash