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9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also. 10 For my life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.

11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. 12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. 13 For I hear the whispering of many— terror all around!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. 16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.

 

Trials. Pain. Suffering. Grief.

We all face these things throughout our lives. We do not wish to linger in or return to these times once they have passed, but these phases of life have a continuing impact on us.

 

I am a child of divorce. I am a cancer survivor. I have buried loved ones. Each of these have created lasting changes to who I am. Despite the pain of these times, I am also grateful for them. In each of these times, I can point out where I had to rely on God. Amid my pain and loneliness, God was there. I know that I will inevitably face hardship and trials again. But like the psalmist, I can reach out in prayer to my Lord and Savior:

 

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love. Amen.

 

Chad Ryberg Cryberg@livinglord.org

 

Prayer Concern: For joy in times of sorrow.