My Journal and Diary
2022
May
Saturday, May 14th, 2022
Bad Day
If only life worked out the way we wanted it to; if only things happened according to our ideals! Instead, we're often faced with challenges, and disappointments which make it hard to keep a positive attitude!
The writer of this Psalm was certainly having a bad day! He lists the many things going wrong in his life: his stricken heart, his burning bones, too wasted to even eat, groaning, thin, alone, unable to sleep, and on top of all of this, he is being taunted by his enemies.
I feel bad for this poor fellow, but it's not really pity. It's more a sympathy, since I go through many of the same feelings from time to time. I think I can relate to what he's going through! I've had days like this myself, and the despair and depression can be immobilizing.
But as he speaks, he turns things around so that instead of focusing on his own pains and distress, he begins to focus on God. He says, God, you're enthroned forever. Your name endures, you will rise up and have compassion. He recognizes God's faithfulness and justice, acknowledges God's power, and asks for God to intercede for him right away.
So this is my challenge, and I hope I can encourage you to do the same: let's not stop in our despair! Let's turn our hearts toward God! Even when I feel too hopeless to pray, I will whisper from my inmost being: God help me! Let's, you and I, acknowledge what we both know to be true and right about God, even when it seems false, even when we're afraid we're being delusional. “Here my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you… The children of your servants shall live secure; their offspring shall be established in your presence.”
Amen