Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.”
[Praise you, O Lord God, that you are sinless, pure, without fault, of good motives and faithful. You only do what is good, you never fail at it. You are a wonder, a marvel, the paragon of goodness, with a character of perfect love and goodness, and therefore you are absolutely trustable. I praise you that you answered my prayer and have made yourself my God–that is, you reached down and, in spite of what I am in my sin and rebellion, drew me to yourself to make me your child. You wanted me, you bought me; you delight in me and rejoice in your relationship with me. This is beyond human understanding, contrary to what justice calls for, showing the beauty of your grace-filled heart.]
“Give me relief from my distress;”
[You, Lord Jesus, in your power, your wisdom, your creativity, in being outside of time and the Master of all, are able to bring relief in the right way at the right time. You know how long to leave us in distress to bring growth and deepening, to equip and teach, to strengthen and train. You know how much pain and suffering I have at the moment and you give more grace than is needed. In fact, you gave grace even before the distress started, more than enough grace to be able to endure. You make it possible to pass through with power, to embrace and utilize what may superficially appear be only the attack of the enemy, but is actually a gift from your hand. I must embrace both this opportunity and your grace with praise, employ it with obedience, and emerge from it with glory for you, empowered as better and stronger. And with your power, relief and help this is possible!]
[Praise you, O Lord God, that you are sinless, pure, without fault, of good motives and faithful. You only do what is good, you never fail at it. You are a wonder, a marvel, the paragon of goodness, with a character of perfect love and goodness, and therefore you are absolutely trustable. I praise you that you answered my prayer and have made yourself my God–that is, you reached down and, in spite of what I am in my sin and rebellion, drew me to yourself to make me your child. You wanted me, you bought me; you delight in me and rejoice in your relationship with me. This is beyond human understanding, contrary to what justice calls for, showing the beauty of your grace-filled heart.]
“Give me relief from my distress;”
[You, Lord Jesus, in your power, your wisdom, your creativity, in being outside of time and the Master of all, are able to bring relief in the right way at the right time. You know how long to leave us in distress to bring growth and deepening, to equip and teach, to strengthen and train. You know how much pain and suffering I have at the moment and you give more grace than is needed. In fact, you gave grace even before the distress started, more than enough grace to be able to endure. You make it possible to pass through with power, to embrace and utilize what may superficially appear be only the attack of the enemy, but is actually a gift from your hand. I must embrace both this opportunity and your grace with praise, employ it with obedience, and emerge from it with glory for you, empowered as better and stronger. And with your power, relief and help this is possible!]
