Honesty with God

David was brutally honest with God. Confident in their relationship, David openly shared his emotions. He asked that those who sought his life “be disgraced and put to shame.” He asked that God would send His angel to pursue them, that ruin would “overtake them by surprise,” and that they would “fall into the pit, to their ruin” (v. 8).

David felt misused, unjustly accused, taken advantage of, and hurt. But instead of burying or denying those feelings, he vented them all with unrelenting honesty with God.

The honesty of these words may surprise us. But this is a reminder that God knows our hearts. We can tell Him anything without fear. He will not punish us for speaking candidly with Him.

We all have feelings and private thoughts. We need to be discerning and appropriate with what we share with others. But God can be a real confidante. We can trust Him to keep our secrets and to be a true friend.

While being honest with God about the pain that he felt, David also showed genuine concern for those persecuting him. “When they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting” (v. 13). He “went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother” (v. 14).

What are the deep issues in your heart? Share them honestly with God.