Wednesday 18th February
Quiet your heart and mind. Consider placing your hands, palms up, in front of you. Release what is distracting and receive God’s gift. What does He have for you today?
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;"
Psalm 95:6
Ponder: Jesus lovingly touched many and brought healing. Think of some Bible people Jesus healed.
Scripture
Read Psalm 88
First, think about your own life and relationship to God. Read the lament again and pay attention to what stands out for you. Read it again and open your heart for Jesus’ touch. Palms open to receive.
Lament of darkness
Where is the darkest place you’ve ever been? A cave? The Wilderness? A windowless room?
When was the darkest period of your life? After a loss? During transition? When caught in a sin?
The Bible shows us what to do in those dark places - cry out to God! This is the nature of the lament Psalm - a unique form of prayer.
Though raw and full of complaint, most end with a glimmer of hope. But not Psalm 88. In Hebrew, it literally ends with the word darkness, the Psalmist naming it as his only remaining friend.
I encourage you to read Psalm 88 again. What words and images does Heman, the writer, use to describe his anguish? Who does he hold responsible? For instance, in verses 10-12 he argues that he would be useless to God if dead. It’s interesting to note that Heman was compared to Solomon in his wisdom (1 Kings 4:31), was a leader in Israel’s worship (1 Chronicles 16:41-42) and was under the direct supervision of King David (1 Chronicles 25:6). If he can do some holy complaining, so can we. Use his words, or make up your own, to create a personal lament regarding a dark place in your own life. Be honest. Don’t hold back. Cry out to God.
Mark Giebink, Director of Member Care, Global, USA
Now ask God who you can pray this prayer for. What part of their suffering could you pray for? What truth could you pray into their life?
Kids’ Question: Describe a hard situation in your life. God will hear you.
