Welcome to Day 2490 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Day 2490 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 31:19-18 – Daily Wisdom

Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2490 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2490 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we’ll be diving into Psalm 31:9-18 from the New Living Translation. David continues his heartfelt prayer to God in this passage, crying out for mercy and deliverance. He’s deeply troubled—emotionally, physically, and spiritually—but what stands out is how, amid this pain, he continues to turn to God for refuge and rescue. We can all learn from David’s vulnerability before God, especially when we find ourselves in times of distress. Let’s take a moment to read Psalm 31:9-18, and then we’ll break it down into smaller sections to see what lessons we can draw from David’s words. Psalm 31:9-18 (NLT) 9 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. 10 I am dying from grief;  my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within. 11 I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors—even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they run the other way. 12 I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot. 13 I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life. 14 But I am trusting You, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” 15 My future is in Your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly. 16 Let Your favor shine on Your servant. In Your unfailing love, rescue me. 17 Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord, for I call out to You for help. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them lie silent in the grave. 18 Silence their lying lips—those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly. A Cry for Mercy (Verses 9-10): David begins Verse 9 of the psalm with an intense cry for mercy: “Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away.” Right away, we sense the depth of David’s anguish. He’s not just feeling a little down—he’s in a place of deep, overwhelming distress. His tears are so frequent that his vision is blurred, and his emotional pain is so intense that it’s affecting him physically. He says his body and soul are withering away, a vivid picture of someone who feels completely spent, both spiritually and physically. This is a reminder that as human beings, we are not just spirits or bodies, but whole persons. When we are in deep emotional or spiritual distress, it can affect us physically. David isn’t ashamed to admit his weakness and weariness. Instead, he brings it before God, asking for mercy. In verse 10, he continues: “I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within.” Here, David reflects on how his prolonged sorrow and grief have taken a toll on his life. It’s not just a momentary feeling—his sadness has affected him over a long period, even cutting his life short in his perception. David acknowledges that sin has drained his strength. Whether he’s referring to his own sin or the effects of living in a sinful, broken world, it’s clear that sin’s consequences have left him feeling weak and depleted. He’s wasting away, not just outwardly but inwardly as well. How often do we, too, feel this way when the burdens of life weigh us down? Sometimes, our sorrow feels unshakable, and our strength seems to disappear. But like David, we can come to God in those moments of weakness and ask for His mercy and strength. Isolation and Rejection (Verses 11-12): David describes his isolation: “I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors—even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they run the other way” (verse 11). Not only is David dealing with deep internal pain, but he’s also facing rejection and abandonment from those around him. His enemies mock him, and even his neighbors and friends have turned their backs on him. This is a powerful image of loneliness and isolation. It’s one thing to face personal struggles, but the pain is multiplied when those around you seem to abandon you. David’s situation is so bad that people literally avoid him on the street—they don’t want to be associated with him. He feels despised and rejected. In verse 12, David goes further: “I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot.” He feels invisible, forgotten, and useless, like a broken piece of pottery that has no purpose anymore. This imagery of brokenness is profound—it shows how David feels discarded, as if his life no longer holds any value. We’ve all experienced times when we’ve felt alone, abandoned, or broken. David’s words remind us that even in our darkest moments, when we feel forgotten or rejected by others, God is still present, and we can pour out our hearts to Him. He sees us, even when others do not. Conspiracies and Fear (Verse 13): David’s distress continues in verse 13: “I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life.” Now, David isn’t just dealing with inner turmoil or social rejection—he’s also facing real external threats. His enemies are spreading rumors and lies about him, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Worse yet, they are plotting to take his life. This is a situation of immense pressure. David feels surrounded by terror, and the danger is not just imagined—it’s real. His enemies are actively seeking to destroy him. We can sense the weight of the fear and danger he’s experiencing. In our own lives, we may not face physical enemies in the same way David did, but we often feel surrounded by stress, fear, or the pressures of life. Whether it’s false accusations, misunderstandings, or just the overwhelming challenges of our daily responsibilities, we can relate to feeling as though the world is conspiring against us. But once again, David doesn’t remain in this place of fear and despair. He turns to the One who can deliver him from this overwhelming situation. Trust in God’s Sovereignty (Verses 14-15): In verse 14, we see a shift in David’s tone: “But I am trusting You, O Lord, saying, ‘You are my God!’” Amid his fear, isolation, and danger, David makes a conscious choice to trust in the Lord. He declares, “You are my God,” reaffirming his personal relationship with the Lord. This isn’t just a vague hope—it’s a deep, personal trust in God’s character and sovereignty. In verse 15, David says, “My future is in Your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.” What a profound statement of faith! Despite everything going on around him, David acknowledges that his future is ultimately in God’s hands. His life, his destiny, and his safety are all under God’s control. This is a powerful reminder for us. No matter what challenges or dangers we face, our future is not determined by the circumstances around us. It’s in God’s hands. When we trust Him, we can find peace even amid chaos, knowing He is in control. David asks God to rescue him from those who pursue him, and his confidence comes from his belief that God is more powerful than his enemies. He knows that no matter how relentless his enemies are, God’s power and protection are greater. A Plea for Deliverance and Justice (Verses 16-18): David’s prayer continues in verse 16: “Let Your favor shine on Your servant. In Your unfailing love, rescue me.” Here, David is asking for God’s favor and love to be upon him. He’s not relying on his own righteousness or abilities; instead, he’s calling on God’s unfailing love and grace to rescue him. He also pleads in verse 17: “Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord, for I call out to You for help. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them lie silent in the grave.” David is asking for vindication. He doesn’t want to be put to shame for trusting in God, and he prays that it will be his enemies—the wicked—who are disgraced instead. David longs for justice, but he trusts God to bring that justice about. He’s not seeking personal revenge; instead, he’s asking God to silence the voices of those who oppose him and to bring about righteous judgment. Finally, in verse 18, David concludes this section with another plea for justice: “Silence their lying lips—those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.” David knows his enemies’ lies are powerful and destructive, but he also knows God is greater. He asks God to silence the false accusations and lies of the wicked. Conclusion: As we reflect on this portion of Psalm 31, we see a man in deep distress—emotionally, physically, and spiritually—who still places his trust in God. David’s honesty about his pain and fear is an example to us. It’s okay to cry out to God when we’re hurting, and it’s okay to admit when we feel overwhelmed or abandoned. But like David, we’re also reminded to place our trust in God, even when life seems out of control. We can declare, “You are my God,” and trust that our future is in His hands. God is our refuge, our deliverer, and the One who will bring about justice in His perfect timing. I encourage you to meditate on this psalm this week and to bring your own fears and struggles before the Lord, knowing that He hears you and will never forsake you. Thank you for joining me on this journey through Psalm 31. Until next time, may God’s peace and strength be with you as you continue your trek toward wisdom Reflect… If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’. Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!