Mind Meld of A Different Kind

PSALM 31:1-13
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
O Lord, I have come to you for protection;

don’t let me be disgraced.

Save me, for you do what is right.

Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly.

Be my rock of protection,

a fortress where I will be safe.

You are my rock and my fortress.

For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.

Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me,

for I find protection in you alone.

I entrust my spirit into your hand.

Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.

I hate those who worship worthless idols.

I trust in the Lord.

I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love,

for you have seen my troubles,

and you care about the anguish of my soul.

You have not handed me over to my enemies

but have set me in a safe place.

Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress.

Tears blur my eyes.

My body and soul are withering away.

I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness.

Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within.

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.

I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot.

I have heard the many rumors about me,

and I am surrounded by terror.

My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life.

The Warrior is a Child
God forbade David to build a Temple (1 Chronicles 17). Ironic. The one who felt so passionately about God played the role of establishing the nation of Israel through years of warfare. Building a Temple would be his son’s role. This warrior king not only had a heart for God, it turns out he had a rather sensitive heart.

Sensitive people, and I think David would agree, are more susceptible to anguished souls. While these tender warriors possess the ability to act decisively and with steadfast resolve, they feel deeply. Externally they may appear as if nothing can penetrate them. But thick skin does not mean a hard and unmovable heart. And when thick skin is penetrated, the tender heart bleeds with an exceptionally strong flow.

I am glad that God understands and cares deeply about anguished souls, whether they lie behind thick or thin skinned people. When grief mounts to overwhelming proportions and the warrior, who has just been valiant in battle, hasn’t the strength to even get out of bed, God understands!
One day we’re galloping to the forward line galvanizing the soldiers and leading the charge to victory, a month later we’re dying from grief. No we aren’t sick people. We are the tender hearts.

Twila Paris sang about us. “Lately I've been winning battles left and right, but even winners can get wounded in the fight. People say that I'm amazing, strong beyond my years. But they don't see inside of me. I'm hiding all the tears.”

To one degree or another, all of us warriors are tender children inside. Perhaps that’s part of the reason why Paul the apostle, himself a great spiritual warrior, wrote that in this life we are all children (1 Corinthians 13).

Father, thanks for understanding and caring about this child, not only when he is valiant and charging ahead, but especially when he can barely raise his head. Confident or distressed, I’m yours. - Mike Leamon