Precious Promises...

Sometimes, life is very hard. I just spoke to a friend who is also a minister--and today, he spent five hours at his church counseling someone who had decided to end his life. Apparently, the desperate individual was intelligent, articulate, and seemingly well-adjusted--yet he was so depressed by his circumstances that he no longer wanted to live.

Today's verses, Psalm 17, Psalm 35, Psalm 54, and Psalm 63, are all written by David at times in his life when he felt alone, afraid, desperate, and weary. I love the honesty of scripture and its reminders to us of God's faithful, compassionate willingness to hear and help when we cry out to him. All who feel hopeless can find purpose in God's promises because his hope is eternal and his help is immeasurable. Here are just a few beautiful examples of the hope and confidence that we have in The Lord:

Psalm 17
A prayer of David.

1 O Lord, hear my plea for justice.
Listen to my cry for help.
7 Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.
By your mighty power you rescue
those who seek refuge from their enemies.
8 Guard me as you would guard your own eyes.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Psalm 35
A psalm of David.

10 With every bone in my body I will praise him:
“Lord, who can compare with you?
Who else rescues the helpless from the strong?
Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?”


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Psalm 54
A psalm of David

1 Come with great power, O God, and rescue me!
Defend me with your might.
4 ...God is my helper.
The Lord keeps me alive!
6 I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you;
I will praise your name, O Lord,
for it is good.
7 For you have rescued me from my troubles
and helped me to triumph over my enemies.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Psalm 63
A psalm of David

1 O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
6 I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
7 Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.

What can be added to these precious, powerful promises? Nothing.
Except maybe this--With your servant David, I Praise you Lord! Amen.