day no. 14,356: weak as we are weak

Psalm 31

If you just read this song without knowing who the man was who wrote it, you might be convinced that he was a timid man. The sentiment that springs from the page is one of dependence and fear. In our culture where independence and self-reliance reign supreme, listening to someone offer such deep, exhaustive neediness and lack of confidence in one's own abilities can read wimpy. But that's why knowing who is writing is helpful.

David was no slouch. As a young man he killed bears and lions with his bare hands. He slayed a giant and carried his huge head around with him to prove it. He was a mighty warrior responsible for upwards of 10,000 men's deaths. This was not someone who quickly resorted to cowardice or uncertainty. So we must read this psalm in the context of the whole man.

This man of faith was not unlike us in his frailty. He too wrestled with pride and fear and patience, but he wasn't paralyzed into inactivity or catapulted into reckless activity. He sought God's help and kept his eyes toward the plow. He felt the strain in his muscles like we do, he felt his patience wearing out like ours does, he felt his heart sink in the face of adversity as ours does, but he stayed the course of faith as we now can. He was weak as we are weak, but he was strong as God is strong. In David, we find a sympathetic friend for our weakness, but we also find a tenacious exhortation for finding strength for today from God.