Wednesday 21st January

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

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,"
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13

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 to Praise: Trusting God’s Unfailing Love

Most of the time I’m content, but every so often I slip into a funk. Last fall was especially hard. I experienced what seemed like spiritual warfare, and the weight of it was heavy.

Yes, I prayed for relief, but God seemed quiet. Over time, though, I shifted my focus away from my troubles and toward simply thanking God for who He is. “You are good, and what you do is good" (Psalm 119:68a). With each prayer of praise, He lifted me a little higher until I was finally pulled out of the ‹mud and mire.’

As you read Psalm 13, notice the depth of David’s despair. But then comes the turning point in verse 5: “BUT I trust in your unfailing love." Just like David, we face troubles, BUT we can trust in God’s ‘unfailing love’ - His covenant faithfulness to Israel, to David, and to us. This promise is where our focus should rest. It’s the ultimate mood changer.

Prayer: Lord, help us hold fast to who You are. On the days when we feel forgotten, when it seems like You’ve turned your back on us, or are giving us the silent treatment, give us the strength to praise You in the waiting, in the struggles, in the quiet. When we wrestle with our thoughts day after day, help us turn our eyes to You. May our hearts sing of Your goodness as we trust in Your unfailing love and rejoice in the joy of our salvation.

Amanda Kmett, Executive Assistant to the Regional Vice President & Associate Regional Director, Member Support, West Asia

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: When you’re feeling sad, what makes you feel better?