You Are Near, Lord

“You are near, Lord, and all of your commands are true.”
Psalm 119:151

Sometimes it seems as though God is far off and distant when we go through times of trials and suffering. I think of those in our Wintersburg church family who are going through difficult times of ill health and wondering how much longer must I endure this trial.

In Psalm 119, the psalmist’s cries of desperation are becoming more and more urgent. In this section of Psalm 119, the writer cries out four times, calling for God’s deliverance in the day and in the night. The psalmist’s cries for deliverance have become continuous and relentless. He won’t give up.

It seems the psalmist has reached a level of desperation. Yet each time he cries out, in his heart he expresses an equally strong affirmation of hope and comfort in God’s Word. And he expresses his unflagging commitment to obeying God’s decrees and statutes. Even as the psalmist’s enemies inch closer, even as God seems to remain silent, the psalmist puts his hope in God and his Word, and he commits himself to obey God. In obedience, the psalmist finds God’s heart and feels God’s closeness.

Thought For Today: A life of faith includes moments when God seems silent. We don’t know why God doesn’t always answer immediately when we call. But if we reflect on all the promises God has made and kept we can be sure that God keeps his promises and will answer. Turning to God’s Word was a continual source of comfort and joy for the psalmist, especially in what seemed to be times of silence from God. And it can be the same for us.

Today’s Prayer Focus: Please continue for those in our church family who continue to go through the trials of ill health. Deo Volente