Psalm 6:4 – As the LORD turns

Turn, O LORD, deliver my life, save me for the sake of your steadfast love. – Psalm 6:4

It might strike us as odd that David the psalmist asks God to turn.

Typically, God is the one asking us to turn. To turn from our harmful ways. To repent from our selfish, negative habits. To return to the LORD after a time of obstinately wandering without Him.

Yet here David is calling the LORD back, as if He's been the one on a vacation from humanity. The warrior king has been weeping on his couch, dreading the evil enemies around him bent on destroying his life. It's so bad, he feels the LORD is absent, or if He's near, perhaps He isn't paying attention.

Have you experienced the absence of God? Does it feel like He's been off in another direction, on some journey without you? Perhaps it's time to gather your chutzpah and boldly ask Him to turn around, look at you, and pay attention.

When you do, He may reveal that He's been there all along and was just waiting for you to be real with Him. And by His grace, those are the moments we receive His saving love.

If you feel God has been distant today, would you ask Him to turn back to you?