There's a great song by Adam Again that asks that question. It's a fantastic lament that seems to capture the despair that all of us have felt at one time or another. King David knew Who could hold him, and we see in Psalm 5 that he endeavored to meet with God each morning.
There's an old worship song, called "Psalm 5," that I love to hear and sing (but it's been years since I've heard it played). It goes:
"Give ear to my words, Oh Lord
Consider my meditation
Hearken unto the voice of my cry
Oh Lord, in the morning,
will I direct my prayer
unto thee and look up..."
I came across a Maranatha compilation album years ago, and it had this song on it. I was excited to tape it (that was the day of "mix tapes" i.e. the "80's"), but when I read the liner notes I saw that it was recorded by The Road Home Choir. It explained that shortly after recording this song the entire group or members of it died (and went to be with the Lord). It added a sadness and a somber hope for eternity to learn that.
It's always kind of funny to hear David complain to God and ask for Him to vanquish his enemies. In today's day and age in America, it's not a common request to "kill my enemies," but one lesson it does teach me is to go to the Lord with my problems. He can handle all my complaints and the cries of my heart are understood and welcomed by Him. It probably tickles Him sometimes to see what petty things I complain about, but I know I can be honest with Him. I can be real. I can also see and hear how selfish or small my focus is when I listen to my own prayers. There's a little bit of introspection going on during the quietness of prayer. That's probably well defined as part of the "meditation" part.
I remember one of my greatest (and most annoying) roommates -- my hero, Greg Taylor -- saying to me once; after I complained to him about one of his shortcomings. He requested something like, "Be very quiet in your complaints about me when talking to me; but very LOUD when talking about them to the Lord." In a very pointed way, he taught me to intercede for people rather than berate them. To go to the only One who could really effect change in that person's life anyway. By so doing, it was heard by a loving Creator Who really has the subject of my prayer's best intentions in mind. It also allowed me to see my own heart while I'm making requests.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at April 19, 2005 08:45 AM