THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Lord, when we read about the psalmist’s brokenness, we feel the anguish in his soul. We should pay attention. We experience the same trials and woes he did. He couldn’t lift himself above his circumstances. Who hasn’t been there? I certainly have.

“Be merciful, O God,” he pleaded. “Deliver me! My circumstances are more than I can handle.” Unlike the past, these troubles were more than he could fix.

“I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:1, 2).

Lord, indeed, you heard the psalmist’s feeble plea. He beautifully describes how you reached down to him. You “bend down to listen” as he poured out his heart. When the psalmist couldn’t muster the strength to help himself, you met him where he was. Aren’t you still meeting us where we are today, regardless of whatever state of being we find ourselves? Saint or sinner, you reach down to us when we are broken.

“Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord; ‘Please, Lord, save me!’” (Psalm 116:3–4)

Was the psalmist staring death in the face? Perhaps. Or did he write metaphorically? Regardless, he couldn’t deliver himself. No time for flowery, religious-sounding prayers. Neither did he pray to impress others how pious he’d become. Just four simple words: “Please, Lord, save me!” That’s all he needed. That’s all we need, Lord.

You were right there to rescue the psalmist. That’s the kind of God you are. Thank you, Lord, for bending down to meet us [meet me] wherever we are. Amen, Jesus.