How can we seek God's help when "evils without number" surround us? Evils on Every Side—And a God Who Sees “For evils without number surround me; my iniquities have overtaken me, so that I cannot see. They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed me.” (Psalm 40:12) When David penned those words, he wasn’t exaggerating. He felt smothered—evil pressing from outside and sin weighing down from within. Yet the same psalm moves from despair to confident hope. That journey shows us how to seek God’s help when evil multiplies. Tracing David’s Path from Panic to Praise • Verses 1–3: David remembers past deliverance—God lifted him “out of the miry clay.” • Verses 4–10: He renews trust, proclaiming God’s faithfulness aloud. • Verse 11: He appeals to God’s steadfast love and truth. • Verse 12: He describes the overwhelming evil and personal sin. • Verses 13–17: He ends with expectant prayer: “Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me.” That pattern still guides us. Step 1—Face the Facts Honestly • Acknowledge external pressures: wars, injustice, hostility, spiritual attack. • Admit internal failures: “my iniquities have overtaken me.” • Honesty dismantles denial and drives us straight to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Step 2—Remember What God Has Already Done • Rehearse your own “miry clay” moments—journal them, speak them out loud. • David’s memory of prior rescue fueled fresh faith; ours will too (Psalm 77:11-14). • Scripture’s record is ammunition: “The LORD has done great things for us” (Psalm 126:3). Step 3—Appeal to His Character, Not Your Performance • “Do not withhold Your mercy from me, O LORD; may Your loving devotion and truth always guard me” (Psalm 40:11). • God’s covenant love (hesed) never flickers (Lamentations 3:22-23). • Lean on His unchanging nature: “I, the LORD, do not change” (Malachi 3:6). Step 4—Cry Out Boldly and Continually Practical ways to voice that cry: • Verbal prayer—speak Scripture back to Him (Psalm 46:1; Isaiah 41:10). • Singing—worship lifts eyes above the turmoil (Psalm 57:7). • Fasting—sets aside distractions and underscores dependence (Ezra 8:23). • Writing—penning petitions clarifies faith. Step 5—Stand on Specific Promises Keep these ready when evil swarms: • Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” • Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you… I will strengthen you, surely I will help you.” • 2 Chronicles 20:12 “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” • Philippians 4:6-7 “The peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” • 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” Step 6—Move Forward in Faith-Fueled Obedience • Keep doing the next right thing even while danger looms (James 1:22). • Refuse bitterness; bless rather than curse (Romans 12:14-21). • Serve others—evil shrinks when love takes tangible form (Galatians 6:9-10). • Arm yourself with the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Living the Psalm 40 Reality Evil may be numberless, but God is infinite. Like David, we can describe the darkness without despairing in it because the LORD “inclined to me and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1). As we remember His past faithfulness, anchor ourselves in His character, voice bold petitions, rest on His promises, and obey in faith, we discover the same outcome David reached: “Let the LORD be magnified!” (Psalm 40:16). |
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