From “Edified”
“I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.”
Psalm 116:13
Praise be to you, Lord Jesus, that I awoke and remembered that you are Sovereign, that all is in your hands, that all the things that weigh on me, that trouble me, are all within your power. You are at work in them and with them to accomplish your greater purposes. This is beyond our knowledge and understanding, but we can trust you in it all. Like in the picture below, life has lots of rocks in it, but the water of life ever flows through to refresh us.
Praise you for your revelation of Truth in your Word that gives us enough to go by: the wonderful beauty of your character, the examples of your gracious dealing with your rebellious people in the past, the forgiveness you have prepared for all who will respond. This truth allows us to connect the dots of your goodness and our sin and suffering with those of forgiveness, salvation, grace and glory.
Psalm 116:8-14 speaks to this: “…you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.”
In the midst of all difficulties we can say, “I believe,” even while I say, “I am greatly afflicted.” When all is falling apart, when no one is trustable, when we are alone and forsaken, even then we can believe you, trust you, follow you, obey you.
As David said, “How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? …I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.”
We can and must praise you before the peoples, no matter what comes, for the measure is not what we see, but what you are. The beauty, power, goodness, wisdom, grace and purity of your character shine the light of understanding on all that comes to us. They give us clues that bring an understanding of the future, of how all will fit together in your creative, powerful, loving hands.
Glory be to you, the Great and Mighty One, King of Glory, God of Goodness, Lord of Love and Ruler of Righteousness. Praise you that you hold back the tide of evil, exposing what is harmful, guiding in what is confusing, protecting in what is negative and loving in what is difficult.
You, Lord Jesus, have suffered the ultimate in living out your love for your rebellious creatures, so we can trust you when suffering comes to us and those around us. Glory be to you, continually, every day, all the time, throughout eternity.
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, you know all about suffering. When it comes to me and mine, help me to trust you, praise you, obey you instead of following my own understanding which leads to self-pity, anger and rebellion. Protect me from myself! Amen.”
