When Joy Is Lost
Opening Prayer
Lord, I look for You alone. You are all my hope and my heart is set on You.
Read PSALM 130:1-8
[1]A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; [2] Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. [3] If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? [4] But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. [5] I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. [6] I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. [7] Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. [8] He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What do you do when you know you've done wrong?We move from the study of the Job, with its theme of suffering, to a cry from the heart. The first two verses give us a sense of the anguish the psalmist is experiencing on his pilgrim journey to Jerusalem.We are not told what has caused his despair and distress, but his focus on seeking forgiveness gives us the hint that sin in some form is at the root of the psalmist’s misery. I find that to be true in my experience, too! But often that keeps me away from God. I am too ashamed to approach him. The psalmist is wise, though–he turns to God (1). What is your experience? Do you turn to God as a last resort or as a first resource? The psalmist is reassuring himself of God’s love and forgiveness (4). As we talk things through with God we tend to reach a better perspective on life. Is there something you need to have an honest talk to God about today? The psalmist’s longing for God and confidence in God (5,6) is so similar to that expressed by Paul (cf. Phil.3:13,14). Both Old and New Testaments lead us to a God who is rich in mercy and abounding in love.
Apply
Meditate on the precious truth of verse 7: “with the Lord is unfailing love.”
Closing prayer
God, I turn to You who forgives sin to be healed. Thank You for your unfailing presence.
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