From Everlasting to Everlasting, You are God…

 1 I cry out to the LORD with my voice;

With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.

2 I pour out my complaint before Him;

I declare before Him my trouble.

3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,

Then You knew my path.

In the way in which I walk

They have secretly set a snare for me.

4 Look on my right hand and see,

For there is no one who acknowledges me;

Refuge has failed me;

No one cares for my soul.

5 I cried out to You, O LORD:

I said, "You are my refuge,

My portion in the land of the living.

6 Attend to my cry,

For I am brought very low;

Deliver me from my persecutors,

For they are stronger than I.

7 Bring my soul out of prison,

That I may praise Your name;

The righteous shall surround me,

For You shall deal bountifully with me."—Psalm 142

In the midst of trial and trouble, I have found that no greater comfort can be found than in praying through the word of God...especially through the Psalms.  This particular psalm was written when David was in a cave hiding from Saul and his minions.  Now I have never prayed from the depths and the darkness of a cave, but I have been in some very dark places physically, emotionally and spiritually and prayer ALWAYS makes my night season light about me.  Praying brings my soul out of its prison and enlightens my eyes to see my God’s good and sovereign hand on my life. 

This effect of prayer on my heart and my mind doesn’t last forever, nor does it usually  change my circumstances, but it does change me a little more each and every time I lift up my empty and helpless hands to Him.  Prayer for me rights my thinking and makes room for the Spirit of God to transform me more and more into His image. As I behold Him and turn my heart upside down before Him...leaving all of what is poured out in His capable hands...my heart is lightened and my countenance changes. Joy mixed with relief fills my heart, because I remember that I am not sufficient. My God wants to relieve me of my burdens.  He wants me to bring them to Him always. 

What a gift we have in being able to come boldly to His throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace to help in our time of need.  God is for us...He is on our side...He fights for us.  We stand in His grace and favor...He WILL deal bountifully with us.  There is so much in life that is just too big and too hard for me.  My heart can be overwhelmed so easily.  How wonderful to know that He knows my path and the way in which I walk.  My God can and will handle all that comes my way.  I can trust Him in my good times, but I can especially trust Him when my heart is brought low or when refuge has failed me and like the psalmist, I feel that no one cares for my soul.  Oh Lord, I have trusted in Your mercy...Your unfailing, grace giving and never changing love, and I am helped.  

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.

2 Before the mountains were brought forth,

Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,

Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.—Psalm 90:1-2