Some days are frankly brutal. Some days, it’s 8.12pm and you’re clinging to the couch feeling like you’ve been worked over with a phonebook and a baseball bat.
Some days, the only letter you can write is directed to God and it says, ‘Dear God, I’m not coping.’
Psalm 35 is a letter like that. David had what my Mum calls a ‘robust’ relationship with God, which I think is great because it means I feel like I’ve got permission to do the same. And yeah, there are days when I feel like God needs to hear – in detail – about the impossible expectations and the disappointments and the fear and just how much some people make me crazy.
But I’ve never read a psalm of David that was all complaint or all request. If he tells the truth about how bad he feels, he also tells the truth about who God is: the God who rescues the weak and helpless. The God whose justice and goodness are impossible to measure. The God who hears when His people call. The only One who is always worthy of praise.
Dear God,
I’m not coping.
This thing you’ve put in front of me is too hard and
I’m not coping.
I’d give anything to have you appear in combat boots and webbing
And announce, ‘I am your salvation!’
You are my salvation.
I’d start by giving you praise
In front of all the people.
All day long.
– Karyn Lochore