Turn to Me...

16 Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,

For I am desolate and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart have enlarged;

Bring me out of my distresses!

18 Look on my affliction and my pain,

And forgive all my sins.

19 Consider my enemies, for they are many;

And they hate me with cruel hatred.

20 Keep my soul, and deliver me;

Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,

For I wait for You.—Psalm 25

Father,

Thank you that when I feel alone and afflicted, I am never left desolate, for You are ALWAYS with me.  I turn myself to You, and I am helped. Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and Your tender mercies surround me. Thank you that You are my support. You bring me out of my distresses and enlarge the path under my feet so I do not slip. You consider my troubles!  You think on me!  As one whom his mother comforts, so You comfort me!  

You FORGIVE my sins!  Lord...for this I have not enough words of thanksgiving!  Toil and trouble will be mine here on this earth, and I am content because You pity me in all of them...BUT You  have made my sins as far as the east is from the west.  You remember them no more. A way has been made in the wilderness for me. I am Yours. In Christ, Your precious Son, nothing...not even my sins...can separate me from Your love. 

My love for You incites men to hate me...BUT You are my shield and my exceedingly great reward.  May I never desire to have it any other way,  For You say:

"Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets." But, "Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in Heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the Prophets."

Make my trust in You my battle cry!  Your banner over me is love. I WILL trust You.  I will look to You and be radiant...my face unashamed. 

I will lift up my eyes to the hills--

From whence comes my help?

2 My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel

Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;

The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;

He shall preserve your soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Father...Even though for now my heart is crushed with sorrow, Your eye of compassion rests on me.  As You said to Ephraim of old, You say to me, Your child:

“I do earnestly remember him still” (Jer. 31:20)

I will wait for You, my Jesus.  May my faith be my song!  I will keep my eyes on the bow that You have placed in the cloud. My heart is steadfast, Father, You will not allow my foot to be moved. Your promises are mine...I can say with Job, though You slay me, yet will I trust in You.