A Burning Desire

David had been silent. But this silence did not solve his problems. Increasingly, a fire burned within him until he could not contain the intensity. He urgently needed to know God’s perspective on his life. “Lord, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days” (v. 4).

He realized that the things of this world were temporary. We can become obsessed with daily events, but David realized that in God’s sight, all life’s struggles and worries seem unimportant.

These tendencies bothered him. Why did he obsess about the reactions of people and seek power if it all was so temporary? Why did he strive for material things if they didn’t last? He realized he needed to focus on God: “My hope is in You” (v. 7).

The thoughts of his mistakes and God’s judgment weighed heavily on him. He knew that His refining and chastening could be far reaching. He prayed for God’s forgiveness.

His final cry was for God’s help: “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; do not be silent at my tears” (v. 12). David totally depended on Him for relief, deliverance, meaning, and fulfillment.

We struggle for direction. We can be plagued by many types of questions. That’s when we need to cry to God to ask for His peace and perspective. Commit our ways to Him. Seek Him with intensity!