Morning Devotional 033026 Lay Your Burdens Down

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

March 30, 2026

Psalm 109:21-31

21 But you, LORD, my Lord! act on my behalf for the sake of your name; deliver me because your faithful love is so good; 22 because I am poor and needy, and my heart is broken. 23 Like a lengthening shadow, I’m passing away; I’m shaken off, like some locust. 24 My legs are weak from fasting; my body is skin and bones. 25 I’ve become a joke to my accusers; when they see me, they just shake their heads. 26 Help me, LORD my God! Save me according to your faithful love! 27 And let them know that this is by your hand that you have done it, LORD! 28 Let them curse—but you, bless me! If they rise up, let them be disgraced, but let your servant celebrate! 29 Let my accusers be dressed in shame; let them wear their disgrace like a coat. 30 But I will give great thanks to the LORD with my mouth; among a great crowd I will praise God! 31 Because God stands right next to the needy, to save them from any who would condemn them. 

Good Morning! Bless us, O Lord!

This is a Psalm of Lament written by David. Through the Psalms and especially the words of David, we see ourselves when everything is going against us physically, emotionally, or spiritually. As humans, we all encounter those times when we are mad or scared about what is going on around us. At some point our anger turns to God. We ask how can a merciful God allow this to happen to me or my friend or anyone for that matter. 

I remember saying to someone that I was “arguing” with God, and they told me that I shouldn’t do that. Sometimes we just need to vent and often there is no one around to listen or hold space with us. God is always with us and as such becomes the bearer of our frustration in desperate times. Who better to “hear” our greatest angst and share our despair? 

It is interesting that near the end of the Psalms of Lament, David or the writer, begin with their complaint, often tell God what should be done, and then come back around to acknowledging God as the one who provides for and loves us. It is a good format, planned or not. It reminds me of arguments between humans where you start out voicing your anger and then you begin with the “and another thing” kitchen sink arguing. I pray that we end with the words of reconciliation as David does. Remember, we should never go to bed angry. 

God of Wisdom, you bless us abundantly! Thank you for accepting all our griefs and woes and then loving us anyway. Thank you for sending Jesus to save us. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: There are no boundaries to the emotions we can express to God.

Lay your burdens at the foot of the cross! Pastor Liz