S.O.S.

Hear my prayer, Lord;
    let my cry for help come to you.
Do not hide your face from me
    when I am in distress.
Turn your ear to me;
    when I call, answer me quickly.

For my days vanish like smoke;
    my bones burn like glowing embers.
My heart is blighted and withered like grass;
    I forget to eat my food.
In my distress I groan aloud
    and am reduced to skin and bones.

Psalm 102:1-5

I rekon that as a culture (I’m thinking Northern Suburbs/Christian etc.) we are good at celebrating but average at mourning. We can laugh with those who laugh, but we struggle to cry with those who cry.

Now, there are reasons for this. I feel it. Sadness can be uncomfortable to be around. It’s hard to know how to love the person feeling sad. Do we speak? Do we not speak? Do we offer kind words, but what if we don’t know good words to say? But love is to sacrifice our comfort for the sake of others.  

The Psalmist reminds us that in our distress we can cry out to God. He hears our prayers and brings comfort to His people. Don’t know what to say? Just cry out to God, for help, for hope, for comfort.

Is there someone you know is sad or struggling today? Don’t avoid them. Give them comfort and with them, cry out to God.

For Today:

• When have you cried out to God in pain?
• Have you ever been comforted by God’s people?
• Is there someone you need to cry out to God with?

Pray:

• Praise the Father for His gift of prayer and of each other. 
• Give thanks for Jesus who knows our pain and came into our painful world. 
• Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others comfort each other in pain and suffering.