“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.” Psalm 116:1
Praise be to you, Heavenly Father, the Great I Am, the Creator of all and the Director of Life. You are the glorious One, worthy of praise, worthy of honor, worthy of love, for your ear always “is open to my cry and your eye is on the righteous.”
There is not a second when you are not focused upon each individual in the world, especially your children. “From heaven, the Lord looks down and sees all mankind” (Psa. 33:13). No event escapes your notice, no happening comes without your permission.
You do not prevent every difficulty or trouble from coming to us, for in your wisdom you know that our growth comes in and through problems and hardships. And each uncomfortable, unwanted situation is another chance to honor you with faith and the sacrifice of praise.
It is an opportunity to dance with joy on the stage of life, clothed in grace, energized with truth, surrounded by the light of your love.
My response should be the same as David’s in Psalm 116:1 “I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.” Your love, O Lord, your care, your compassion for me in and through difficulty awakens in me more love for you.
To look away from our personal situation to the great context of your wisdom, your power and your grace frees us to reject self-pity, anger, rebellion and unbelief. As you did for Elisha’s servant, you open our eyes to see the forces of the Lord surrounding us: “The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear him and he delivers them” (Ps. 34:7).
When I think back in my own life, there are many examples of your surrounding me with your protection in the midst of difficulty. Such as taking a trip to Virginia in a cold, snowy February on dark narrow roads. The morning after we got home, I went out to start our aged van and the power steering hose blew off making it unusable! If that had happened on the trip it would have been a severe difficulty, but God had it happen in my yard where I could fix it myself!
Praise you, Lord that you are the God of hope and goodness so we can rest in your passionate love and gracious kindness. Help us to do that all through the day.
