May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!  My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. My eyes long for your promise; I ask, "When will you comfort me?"  For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes. How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me? The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law. All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Lord, it is not the enemies without but the enemy within. My pride, my fear of rejection; these and similar emotions are the ones that control my life. I seek the approval of those around me to satisfy my self-destructive ego. I need to be willing to listen to that quiet voice that says, “No, John, not a good idea” and be willing to obey rather than repent. It seems that my continuous cry is, “Help me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”