How to Be Real with God

When I was in college, I had the privilege of living with a bunch of gals who are now my lifelong friends. Back then, we were just trying to figure out life in our early twenties, who we wanted to be when we grew up, and of course, occasionally dating boys. As you might imagine, in a house of five women, this last part meant we were often talking about who we were seeing and who might be “the one.”

These women loved the Lord. We were in campus ministries, attended a local church plant, and went to Bible studies together. For this reason, Scripture verses were not uncommon in our duplex, written on sticky notes and stuck in strategic places. But, for the life of me, I cannot remember any of them specifically — except one. It was the one on the back of the front door and stayed there for a really long time, “Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me…” (Psalm 56:1, ?)

This is where, as an adult, I now roll my eyes and place my palm on my forehead. Good grief. Of course, we were not using this verse in its correct context. It was just a silly tongue-in-cheek reference that a bunch of college girls were using because, apparently, we thought we were pretty cute. It made me laugh then, and it still does. Those days with those girls were special. They were innocent days with so much hope for our careers, those boys (many of whom we married), and the beautiful families that have come along. I am so grateful for these relationships and the support they have been to me over the years.

I find it striking that the verse we used in such a silly, innocent way as college gals is actually the cry of David in an exceptionally dire situation. Supportive friendships could not be further from what David was facing as people were not only opposing him, but literally trying to kill him. While I can’t imagine that extreme, we all can learn something from how David prayed during that time. After all, despite all of David’s shortcomings, he was still referred to as “a man after God’s own heart.” (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22, NIV) Let’s see how David approached God when people had turned on him and his very life was in danger.

Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack.

My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride.

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me.

They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life.

On no account let them escape; in Your anger, O God, bring down the nations.

Record my lament; list my tears on Your scroll—are they not in Your record?

Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.

In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise—

In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

I am under vows to You, O God; I will present my thank offerings to You.

For You have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Whew. That was intense. I love a couple of things David does as he “prays under pressure” here:

1. He calls a spade a spade. In a world where we are tempted to sugarcoat our distress as “not that bad,” David shows us that it is okay to be raw, real, and authentic with the Lord in our prayers.
2. He is willing to say people are being jerks. (Gosh, that was even hard to type!) I am such a peacemaker and trained to be kind that sometimes I don’t know how to pray when people are truly being mean. David shows us we can tell God when people are out of line without being out of line ourselves.
3. He never gets more than a sentence or two into talking about the difficulties before he speaks some truth about God’s trustworthiness, compassion, and previous protection and deliverance. It’s a wonderful pattern for us to follow when we are in our own difficult circumstances. It helps us express what we need to while also being buoyed by the truth of who God is.

I’m glad I got to share my silly story with you. And I’m even gladder that it led me to look at the entirety of that passage years later. David is such a beautiful example of how to be real with God while also being true to him. May we all be blessed with the freedom to be the fullness of who we are with the one who already knows.

Anne Rulo is an author, speaker, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist and veteran coach’s wife. She and her husband Tim have two children and are passionate about reaching people for Christ and sharing information on coaching, marriage, family, and mental health. Read more from Anne at www.annerulo.com.

Photograph © Ashley Inguanta, used with permission