“You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call; this I know, that God is for me” (Psalm 56:8-9).
Life isn’t much fun at times. Perhaps you can relate to some of the struggles listed by the author of Psalm 56. Oppressors are treating you like a sidewalk, leaving their boot prints all over you. They are proud of their efforts to make your life miserable (vv. 1-2). They take pleasure in twisting your words as they dream up new ways to attack you (v. 5). They lurk around every corner, seeking an opportunity to destroy you (v. 6).
But maybe your struggles are different. Your battle may be with a health condition that is painful and debilitating. Perhaps your trials result from the fracturing or destruction of a relationship. It could be that you are overwhelmed with grief due to the death of beloved family member or dear friend. These are all different life issues than the psalmist was experiencing, but no less real or painful. Life can hurt.
Where do you turn in times like these? The psalmist turned to God when life got rough. It wasn’t because God magically made everything alright. It wasn’t because God took away all of the pain and difficulty. The author of Psalm 56 took solace in the fact that God was there in the midst of it all. It was a source of comfort for him to know that none of what was happening was escaping God’s notice. I especially love the imagery of God collecting the psalmist’s tears in a bottle (v. 8). The writer trusted that no tear of pain or grief is missed by the One who loves His children.
God knows your pain and grief as well. None of your tears are overlooked in a world of hurting people. When life’s experiences tempt you to think otherwise, remember that God is for you, not against you!
God loves you!
Life isn’t much fun at times. Perhaps you can relate to some of the struggles listed by the author of Psalm 56. Oppressors are treating you like a sidewalk, leaving their boot prints all over you. They are proud of their efforts to make your life miserable (vv. 1-2). They take pleasure in twisting your words as they dream up new ways to attack you (v. 5). They lurk around every corner, seeking an opportunity to destroy you (v. 6).
But maybe your struggles are different. Your battle may be with a health condition that is painful and debilitating. Perhaps your trials result from the fracturing or destruction of a relationship. It could be that you are overwhelmed with grief due to the death of beloved family member or dear friend. These are all different life issues than the psalmist was experiencing, but no less real or painful. Life can hurt.
Where do you turn in times like these? The psalmist turned to God when life got rough. It wasn’t because God magically made everything alright. It wasn’t because God took away all of the pain and difficulty. The author of Psalm 56 took solace in the fact that God was there in the midst of it all. It was a source of comfort for him to know that none of what was happening was escaping God’s notice. I especially love the imagery of God collecting the psalmist’s tears in a bottle (v. 8). The writer trusted that no tear of pain or grief is missed by the One who loves His children.
God knows your pain and grief as well. None of your tears are overlooked in a world of hurting people. When life’s experiences tempt you to think otherwise, remember that God is for you, not against you!
God loves you!
Mike
2 comments:
Very good. How are you all doing?
Thanks Warren. Sorry for not replying sooner. I forget to check for comments regularly. We are doing well. Enjoying a dry winter, but will be paying for it this summer. I hope things are well in Kansas.
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