January 14 Petition Mission

“Oh, do not forsake me utterly!” (Ps 119:8).

Once a week we will visit the longest psalm to consider one of 52 God-inspired prayer requests recorded there. Imagine claiming as our own these Spirit-led prayers that we know exactly match the will of God! This one emphasizes what we may call the Grace Gap—the unmeasured distance between what we deserve and what we receive. Peter fell at the Lord’s feet, crying, “Depart from me…” (Lk 5:8). He knew that was what he deserved, but it certainly wasn’t what he desired. I think “utterly” (Heb., meh-ode) is used negatively in every other reference except in the well-known words in Psalm 37: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand” (vv 23-24).

This is one prayer sure to be answered in our favor. “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Heb 13:5).