FROM PAIN TO PRAISE
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, I need Your hope today
Read Psalm 57
Psalm 57[a]
For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.
1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c]
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.
4 I am in the midst of lions;
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
6 They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.
7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
Footnotes:
a Psalm 57:1 In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12.
b Psalm 57:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
c Psalm 57:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Do you consider yourself a positive or negative person? Or a bit of both?I recently went to visit a friend in the hospital, to find that she had escaped. Not literally! I was very impressed to find her in her new accommodation just over the road—a small but adequate self-contained flat, where she would have the space to recuperate and the back-up care to safely prepare for her eventual homecoming. Thankful for God’s provision, she took refuge in the shadow of his wings (1).
Refuge doesn’t always have to be in a secluded place. David does not have the luxury of removing himself from everyday life while he is facing his difficulties. You could never say that his cup was half-empty or half-full. Dramatically he goes from describing himself as being in the midst of lions (4) to praising and glorifying God (5). And he repeats these words in verse 11. They obviously live deep in his heart.
David knows that he has the protection of God all around him. I think of Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak! David was not, nor will we be, made invisible. But we can be wrapped up in something which offers even greater protection: God’s amazing love
Apply
Do you have a favorite verse from the Bible that sustains you? Take some time now to write it down with pen and paper, perhaps several times, to let it sink deeply into your heart.
Closing prayer
Be my refuge, Lord Jesus, my shelter in life’s storms.
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