FINDING DIRECTION (Psalm 143)

We all need direction—not just early in life but at every stage of life. There are decisions to be made, and there are crossroads in every season for which we need God’s guidance.

That is why Psalm 143 is so precious to me. This is a psalm that is a real prayer for divine direction. It is 12 verses long and breaks down into three parts. But all of it is a prayer, a description of David communing with the Lord.

Verse 1: “Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.”

Present

He began by talking about his present need. He said, “Lord, I need you right where I am.” That is where you have to start with God. Not where you used to be, want to be or hope to be, but where are you right at this moment.

I marked in my Bible “my prayer” and “my supplications” but also “thy faithfulness” and “thy righteousness.” The prayer is mine, but the basis for it all being answered is all on Him.

Verse 2: “And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.”

This was a plea that God would not deal with him as he deserved. Aren’t you glad for mercy? If I got what I deserved, I would be in Hell today or on my way there. But instead, God gives me in His grace and mercy what I do not deserve. He gives me His faithfulness and His righteousness.

Verses 3-4: “For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.”

This sounds familiar. In the previous psalm, David wrote, “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path.” It seems that he was overwhelmed quite a bit.

Maybe you feel overwhelmed to the extent that you think you are the only one. Everyone gets overwhelmed from time to time, but it is important to recognize in that circumstance that you need to bring it to God. You need direction right then, so tell the Lord, “Here is where I am. Help me.”

Past

In verses 5-7, David began to remember his past.

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.”

When you are overwhelmed and need direction, go back to previous seasons when God broke through. Has He answered prayer? Has He always been right on time? As you meditate on God’s goodness, on His character and faithfulness, it will help you right where you are.

Notice how he referred specifically to “all thy works” and then “the work of thy hands.” One is plural, and the other is singular. The Psalmist rehearsed the many things God had done, then stopped to contemplate what God has done overall in his own life.

After noting the greatness of “his hands,” David wanted to “stretch forth my hands unto thee.” Sometimes, I want to reach out with my little hands to Heaven and say, “Lord, I am weak, but You are strong. My hands are frail, but I know Your hands are mighty. Please take my hand now.”

It is like the hand of a child reaching up to a strong father. David was remembering all of the faithfulness of God in his past, which would help give him direction.

Future

Then there is the future. Verse 8: “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.”

There is an obvious practical application here - the start of the day is the best time to get in tune with the Lord and listen for His voice. But this is also an expression of hopefulness, of new beginnings, of freshness.

I think this may be one of the greatest prayers for direction in the Bible. Mark it in your own Bible. The Psalmist was essentially saying, “Lord, I don’t know which way to go. Show me. Make me know it.”

It is good for us to acknowledge that we do not have all the answers. It is a well-known stereotype that men, in general, think they know exactly where they are going until they get lost. If it were not for GPS on our phones, many would continue to drive around in circles.

But it is a reality that each one of us comes to a point in life where we must say, “Lord, on this journey with You, I do not know the next step.” That is the message in the phrase from verse 8 that states, “Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk.”

Verses 9-10: “Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.”

When praying to know the next step, he simply asked to know what God wanted. Likewise, it is not about what I would choose but what God chooses for me.

Then, we see his request to be guided “into the land of uprightness.” He asked for the right direction because he wanted to reach the right destination. He wanted to be the man God wanted him to be.

Verses 11-12: “Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.”

He asked for strength for the journey ahead and for God to take care of all his enemies. He gave himself completely to the Lord because he desired divine direction.

It is wonderful to see the past tense, present tense and future tense in Psalm 143, because it reminds us that God is leading all the way. He has been guiding all along, He is doing it today, and He will order our steps in the days ahead.

Make it your prayer today: “Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk. … Teach me to do thy will … lead me into the land of uprightness.”

May God give you divine direction today.