Psalm 40: ¹¹ Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever. ¹² For evils have encompassed me without number; my iniquities have overtaken me, until I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me. ¹³ Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me. 

This is King David crying out to God for help against “evils” of many kinds. Connected to these evils are “my iniquities” which are also many. To be “encompassed” and “overtaken” is to be overwhelmed. There’s just too much coming at David all at once. I have days like that too. There are days when it seems the challenges of life will overwhelm me. Ever experienced that? It’s a terrible feeling.

The thing that caught my attention in the passage is David’s response to his challenges. Yes, he cries out for help from the Lord, but he also takes a posture of humility, owning the iniquities that have plagued him. Does he deserve God’s protection? It would seem not on account of his sins against God. Yet he asks anyway in v.11. It is not David’s righteousness which will protect him, but the love and faithfulness of God who loves him despite his shortcomings. I think that’s my prayer this morning too.

Dear Lord, you know my faults and sins. They are many. I don’t deserve your love, mercy, and care, but ask for it anyway. For Jesus’ sake have mercy on me, set me free from that which binds me up. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.