Readings for today: 1 Corinthians 5-6, Psalms 143
Everyone has moments where they struggle. Everyone has seasons of dismay. Everyone struggles with depression or despair on some level. Everyone is fighting a battle. I don’t care whether you are young or old, rich or poor, black, white, or brown, heterosexual or LGBTQ+, Republican or Democrat, progressive or conservative…all of us have to find a way to overcome adversity in our world. This is why I love the Psalmist so much. He captures and expresses what we all feel deep down in our hearts. He gives us permission to bring our emotions before God, even when they are at their most raw and primal.
“My spirit is weak within me; my heart is overcome with dismay. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all you have done; I reflect on the work of your hands. I spread out my hands to you; I am like parched land before you.” Weak. Overwhelmed. Dismayed. Parched. Dry. Weary. Those are good words for me right now. Words that describe my condition. Words that express how I am feeling at this moment. Life has not been easy for me this year. There have been great losses and great griefs that I am working through with the Lord. The Psalmist feels like a kindred spirit. He helps me know I am not alone in these feelings. Many men and women have trod this path before me. Their wisdom guides and directs me. Their experience comforts me. “Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Don’t hide your face from me, or I will be like those going down to the Pit. Let me experience your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in you.” They point me to God’s faithful love. The only love that never fails. The only love powerful enough to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things. They remind me that God never hides His face from me. He weeps when I weep. He laughs when I laugh. He is always at my side even when I am walking in valleys of deepest shadow. “Reveal to me the way I should go because I appeal to you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I come to you for protection. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground.” God not only is with me but He lights my path. He shows me the way. He teaches me how to walk. He strengthens my feet. He holds my hand. He leads me to level ground.
This is my hope today. In the midst of all I am feeling, God is with me. He is comforting me. He is strengthening me. He is filling me. He is giving me what I need for today. As I lean on Him, He answers me. He turns His face towards me and gives me peace. He abides with me and quiets my soul with His faithful love. And as I abide with Him, He reveals to me the way I should go. He leads me to level paths. He levels every mountain and raises up every valley in my path. He makes straight my crooked ways and my rough places, He makes plane. This is who my God is. This is how my God works. I never have to be afraid. Thank you, Father.
Readings for tomorrow: 1 Corinthians 7-8, Psalms 144