A Passing Guest

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Scripture
 
Psa. 39:12        “Hear my prayer, O LORD,
        and give ear to my cry;
        do not hold your peace at my tears.
    For I am your passing guest,
        an alien, like all my forebears.
13     Turn your gaze away from me, that I may smile again,
        before I depart and am no more.”

Observation

The Psalmist feels like an alien here on earth and desires to be with the LORD. The struggle is so great at times that the tears stream down his face. Life, soon coming to an end,
 causes time for reflection. Gazing upon the face of our LORD we recognize how unworthy we are in the presence of his holiness. And so we cry our tears and in moments where things seem out of focus, we realize that we are just a passing guest, an alien, and what we truly desire is to simply go home.

Application

Being reminded that we are simply passing guests or aliens here on earth is often helpful. Sorrow and pain will come our way. The endless news cycle can be simply mind-boggling. Trying to make sense of it all can make our heads hurt.

David’s life was filled with turmoil. He may not have had the internet but he had an endless stream of individuals whose responsibility it was to give him the bad news of the day. I’m sure he heard it day in and day out. He lost loved ones, even having them turn their backs on him. He loved God and yet there were times he had failed God. Thinking about the closing days of his life, how could he look upon the face of God? He knew that he had his own short-comings and the very gaze of God made him a bit uncomfortable. But instead of turning away, he cried out to God. He embraced his alien status here on earth and looked forward to dwelling in that place of his eternal citizenship. This brought him the hope he needed to live life to its fullest to the very end.

With the eternal in view we can remain a passing guest as we lift up our heartfelt prayers to the LORD.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to live faithfully this day. Amen.

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