Cry out to the Lord…

With my voice I cry out to the LORD;
with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.
I pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him.
When my spirit faints within me,
you know my way!
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
Look to the right and see:
there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
no one cares for my soul.
I cry to you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
Attend to my cry,
for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me!
Bring me out of prison,
that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
for you will deal bountifully with me.
(Psalm 142 ESV)

Wow if a verse ever hit us at home, this is it for me. I’m crying out to God asking for comfort, asking for him to guide me through this maze of hurt and distractions, and things that can keep me from Him.

How many of us have been in a place where we wonder how we will ever get out? You wonder how this will end and pray that it will end today but you know the road ahead is long and hard…

We see things and situations that make us cringe and step back in detest and fear and those are the situations some of us live in every day. And those of us in developed countries, have more in our distress and fear than some of the wealthiest people in underdeveloped countries. Even the demarcation of developed and underdeveloped is a way to keep us separated.

But this psalm not only talks about how the psalmist is crying out for God’s help, but how He will help. “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living” God is our refuge, He will hide us under His wing and protect us and shelter us from the storms of life. And He will surround us with the righteous and deal bountifully with us.

As I read this psalm and thought about how it fits my time now with searching for where I belong, I wondered how many others were searching or wondering where they belong and thought as the psalmist did that no one cares for your soul… Well my friend, I care for your soul and so does God… Even in the darkest valley He is there. Cling to Him and He will see you through this and every moment of your life.