On our knees

Robert Allan May 11, 2020 0 1

Playlists

Add to Favourites

Save for later

Listen to this daily worship

Psalm 31: 9-10, 21-24 (GNT)

9 Be merciful to me, Lord,
    for I am in trouble;
my eyes are tired from so much crying;
    I am completely worn out.
10 I am exhausted by sorrow,
    and weeping has shortened my life.
I am weak from all my troubles;
    even my bones are wasting away.

 

21 Praise the Lord!
How wonderfully he showed his love for me
    when I was surrounded and attacked!
22 I was afraid and thought
    that he had driven me out of his presence.
But he heard my cry,
    when I called to him for help.

23 Love the Lord, all his faithful people.
The Lord protects the faithful,
    but punishes the proud as they deserve.
24 Be strong, be courageous,
    all you that hope in the Lord.

Often the words of the Psalms are the words we need to hear because they speak of the feelings we have, sometimes raw and emotional. The God whom we worship – or at least the God whom I worship – is not offended when I tell him about what’s on my mind, because he already knows. And if life is hellish for whatever reason it is okay to talk about this to God. How often is our worship all ‘nice’ because that is what we think God wants to hear? In Eugene Peterson’s translation called ‘The Message’ the Psalmist says, “I hate all this silly religion, but you, God, I trust.” When all is going wrong in life, as it sometimes can and for many different personal reasons, it can take its toll on us physically and spiritually, but as we turn to God we find new strength, new courage, new meaning, fresh hope. Peterson translates the final verse, “Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect God to get here soon.”

PRAYER:

God, we are like open books before you. Even from what seems like a distance, you know what we are thinking and feeling and facing in our lives. When the day is long and wearisome and taking its toll on us, come close, reassure us of your presence, surround us with your love, give us your peace such as the world cannot give. And then take us by the hand, lift us from our knees, and give us the strength to go on, to love again, to walk tall with you by our side. Thank you for your mercy and faithfulness, and for your love from which there is nothing in all creation that can ever separate us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.