May 13
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I SEEK THE LORD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE
I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.
In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
In the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
My soul refuses to be comforted.3 When I remember God, I moan;
When I meditate, my spirit faints. 4 You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak 5 I consider the days of old, the years long ago.
6 I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.”
Then my spirit made a diligent search: 7 “Will the Lord spurn forever,
And never again be favorable? 8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
Are his promises at an end for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” 10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
To the years of the right hand of the Most High.” – Psalm 77:1-10
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The psalmist shows how he runs and cries out loud to God in times of trouble. He clearly gives a picture how he wallowed in the pain caused by his troubles which have led him to doubt or question if God has forgotten him. There is certainly an examination of the motives of his heart involved from verses 6-10.
It is interesting how the Lord uses troubles in our lives to make us get down on our knees and ask his help. It is when we are beset by helplessness that he makes us grow in humility to run to him and ask for deliverance or to be rescued. But we shouldn’t limit our reliance on God only when we are in trouble. We also need to worship him despite all the bad and the good things that happens to us. He is looking for people who will worship him in spirit and in truth.
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ADORATION: Lord, you are gracious and forgiving, I praise your steadfast love and grace.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I succumb to hopelessness and helplessness.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your word that always sets me free.
SUPPLICATION: May we constantly seek God’s guidance and help in our lives especially in times of troubles.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think people only run to God when they are in trouble?