Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
November 23, 2022
Read Psalm 142:1-7
1 I cry out loud for help from the LORD. I beg out loud for mercy from the LORD. 2 I pour out my concerns before God; I announce my distress to him. 3 When my spirit is weak inside me, you still know my way. But they’ve hidden a trap for me in the path I’m taking. 4 Look right beside me: See? No one pays attention to me. There’s no escape for me. No one cares about my life. 5 I cry to you, LORD, for help. “You are my refuge,” I say. “You are all I have in the land of the living.” 6 Pay close attention to my shouting, because I’ve been brought down so low! Deliver me from my oppressors because they’re stronger than me. 7 Get me out of this prison so I can give thanks to your name. Then the righteous will gather all around me because of your good deeds to me.
Good Morning, God hears and listens to our prayers.
In this Psalm, David is praying to God and recounting his feelings during his recent encounter with Saul. David starts by sharing his fear. It is helpful for us to see that even God’s chosen one has moments of fear so that understand how sharing everything with God provides us comfort. Too many times we try to hide our fears and vulnerability from others, even God. By admitting our weaknesses, we are ready to accept the strength that God provides for us.
Next, David complains about how his enemies have set a trap for him when Saul sends his daughter to distract him from his path. He goes on to complain that his friends have abandoned him as he hides alone. Can you remember a time when you had to make a choice that separated you from the group? Perhaps you were at a gathering where someone encouraged you to do something with which you were uncomfortable. You had to make a choice to say no and leave or say yes and join the crowd.
This is a common scenario in our teen and young adult years as we are trying to find ourselves. It is hard to do the right thing when you know that it means you might be alone.
In these moments of despair, God is listening when we cry out, “Help me, O Lord!”
Above all, God wishes to be in a relationship with us! What do we do with those closest to us: we talk, we share our thoughts, we laugh, we cry, and we listen. This is what God wants! God is ready to listen to everything. God knows us better than we know ourselves and is with us always.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. We love You. We are sometimes challenged by admitting that we need You. Thank you for waiting as we work through our stubbornness. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God is waiting to answer our calls for help.
Share your life with God today! Pastor Liz
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