“Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.” Have you ever heard a child or teenager say something like this? Sometimes even adults think this even if they never say it out loud. These words came from King David at the end of his prayer to God. What would make him say this to God?
David had determined to be careful not to sin in deed or word, but evidently he was human like the rest of us. He described how as he was listening to someone speak he got so angry that he said “it ignited a fire of words:” Then in verses 4-13, he vents his frustration to God.
We don’t know exactly what happened, but it would appear that God may have sent a prophet like Nathan to speak to David about his sin. In verse 8, he asked God to rescue him from his rebellion, and in verse 11, he mentioned being disciplined for his sins. In verse 9, David said, “I am silent before You; I won’t say a word, for my punishment is from You.” Then, he went on to complain how God’s discipline was causing so much mental, emotional, and physical frustration and pain.
I am so glad God put this prayer in His word. God wants us to know He understands our frustrations when He disciplines us. He had Paul give us a great explanation in Hebrews 12:5-13. Part of this says, “for the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child. As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. . .If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His child at all. . .No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” And in Romans 8:29, Paul writes, “For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son. . .” (NLT).