Monday 16 November, 2020

For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1 Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. 2 The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. 3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. 4 I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord; heal me, for I have sinned against you.” 5 My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?” 6 When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around. 7 All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, 8 “A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies.” 9 Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. 10 But may you have mercy on me, Lord; raise me up, that I may repay them. 11 I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. 12 Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. 13 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.

Our Lord God longs for us to be whole again. Wholeness in body, spirit, mind. This psalm speaks to me of God’s unfailing desire, his yearning for me to be whole so I can stand in his presence, knowing I am loved. “You know me inside and out, you hold me together, you never fail to stand me tall in your presence, so I can look you in the eye.”(MSG v 12)

God is our great healer. Lots of other things are said to help us heal – time, refreshment, inner strength. He is above them all! He restores our bodies (v3), he restores us emotionally (v7, 9 and 10), and spiritually (v11-12). From a feeling of being alone and beaten, like everything is out of control and collapsing around me, as I’m sure the writer David felt during difficult periods in his life, I know he will hold me together (v12 MSG). It’s as if he lifts me up and hugs me close. All I can do is cling to him.

Ps 30 v 2-3 from The Message is such a powerful encouragement – “God my God, I yelled for help and you put me together. God, you pulled me out of the grave, gave me another chance at life when I was down-and-out.”   Amen

Written by Claire Moore