When You Don’t Feel Like It 

Psalms 143 

Hear my prayers, O Lord; give ear to my supplications! Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness! 143:1 

For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead. Therefore, my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart is appalled within me. 143.3,4 

Bringing accountability into my life to have daily time with God has been so good for me. However, I could say, ‘sometimes I love accountability and other times, well, I don’t.’  

Can you relate? 

When I encounter times that I don’t “feel” close to God and the Words of scripture are flat and my prayers seem distant, the accountability to daily time with God doesn’t allow me to do what I used to do; avoid God and start the day by listening to the news or reading emails.  

Many years ago, I would avoid God until I “felt” closer to Him. Sometimes for weeks. Healthy accountability and determination have changed the avoiding part. However, I still sometimes feel distant and discouraged.  

I encourage you to make a note somewhere that says, “if spiritually discouraged, read Psalms 143.” Here is the “state of mind” David is in:  

1) his soul is persecuted;  

2) his life is crushed;  

3) his spirit is overwhelmed 

4) his heart is appalled within him.  

When I feel like this, my instinct is to avoid God. Instead, David goes after Him hard. He calls on God:  

1) hear my prayer 

2) give ear to my supplication 

3) answer me in Your faithfulness 

4) do not hide Your face from me 

5) answer me quickly before my heart fails 

6) let me HEAR YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS IN THE MORNING 

7) teach me  

8) deliver me 

9) let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.  

Wow! The boldness to call upon God to do and to act is brazen. David never ‘tip toes’ around with God. He goes after Him hard. The New Testament affirms this approach to God in Hebrews 4.16, Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

Also, interspersed in the Psalms are affirmations of David’s beliefs of God:  

1) I remember the days of old 2) I meditate on all Your doings 3) I muse on the works of Your hands 4) I stretch out my hands to you 5) I trust in You 6) for to You I lift up my soul 7) for YOU ARE MY GOD 8) for I am your servant.  

Lord, thank you for leading me to this Psalm this morning. Your timing is always perfect; your patience with me is everlasting; your love and kindness is always before me. Praise you and thank you for lifting up my soul this morning! Hear me, answer me and make yourself easily seen by me…. because of YOUR faithfulness and righteousness!  Amen. 

If spiritually discouraged, read Psalms 143.