Listen

Lord, listen to my voice when I cry out—have mercy on me and answer me! Come, my heart says, seek God’s face. Lord, I do seek your face! Please don’t hide it from me! Don’t push your servant aside angrily—you have been my help! God who saves me, don’t neglect me! Don’t leave me all alone! Even if my father and mother left me all alone, the Lord would take me in.

Psalm 27:7-10

Think

Just as there are different genres of music (pop, rock, hip hop, country, jazz, etc.), there are different categories of psalms. Some are praise, some are thanksgiving, some are wisdom, and this one is clearly lament. A lament is an expression of grief or sorrow. Can you hear the anguish in the words? “Don’t leave me all alone!” The author, probably King David, was facing injustice and betrayal.

This psalm is also an expression of trust. God listens. God has mercy. God answers us. When we are in grief or sorrow, we can trust God to be with us, if we open our heart and seek God, if we ask for God’s help. King David waited for God’s help, and sometimes we have to wait too. Even in the waiting, we can trust that God is with us.

Alex Flannagan

Question to Ponder:

When have you had to wait for God’s help?

Pray

Sweet and tender God, protector and comforter of all, have mercy on me and hear me. I cry out when I suffer. And I sing your praises in times of peace.

Today I praise you for…

I thank you for the gift of life and trust that you are always with me. Amen.

Go

Trust can take a long time to build. Where do you want to put your trust today?