Adapted from 2010 Living Room interactive devotional.

To you, Lord, I call;
you are my Rock,
do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Hear my cry for mercy
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place.

Psalm 28:1-2

 

Do those words sound like what you hear yourself crying out to God? They probably are for a lot of people. We are not alone in what we’re facing today.

Don’t be afraid to keep crying out to God. I’m sure he’s listening.

I don’t know if you’ll be comforted to know that the Bible says that dark times like we’re going through today can transform us into the image of Christ. But—as we’ve said here before—for that to happen we need to keep reaching out to God, as David did in his psalm above.

It’s hard to believe, as you go through these difficult times, that any good could possibly come out of such misery. And yet, look at what the Bible tells us about God’s promise to us: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

“Remaining steadfast under trial.

On a seemingly different tangent, I’m reminded today of how eagerly the father in the story of the prodigal son came running to meet his son when he saw him coming home. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)

How deep the father’s love for his son!

Although we haven’t been lost, God—represented by the father in this story—has that kind of love for us. And when someone loves this deeply, he hurts deeply as well. God accompanies us in our struggles. In his great compassion, he’s with us in our pain. He understands what it is to be us.

As you go through this dark time, remember that you’re not alone. God, you heavenly father, is with you.

marja