Hasten, O God, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me. 2 May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 3 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" turn back because of their shame. 4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "Let God be exalted!" 5 Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

Each of us either has or will face some very difficult times in our lives. We all face hardships, trials, pain and suffering. We face anxious moments or maybe even worried days, nights, weeks or even years. There are times that life is not fair, either by chance or by the design of those who do not like us. For some, these events are the turning point in their lives for good while for others it seems to serve as their personal destruction leading to feelings of loneliness, despair, self-pity and isolation. It is the latter who blame others or even blame God for their plight. But few have ever faced worse than the Psalmist. As in most Psalms of trouble, there is the first kind of response.

There is an amazing similarity between this Psalm and what Paul said when writing from prison (falsely accused) as he tried to encourage us. He said we are to rejoice in the Lord always because the Lord is near. In his darkest night he could always feel the presence of his Lord. He further instructs us to be patient with each other. After all, God is patient with each of us. And then he tells us to pray about everything and do it with thanksgiving.

But how can we be thankful when things are so bad or we are hurting so much? Paul said what he did was remember that he could do all things thru Christ who gave him his strength. We can be thankful because we know that in Jesus we have already won the victory that counts. We can be patient and forgiving toward our enemies because God was (is) patient with us while we are his enemy and offered us his forgiveness. We can be joyful with an inner peace that is beyond even our comprehension. As we focus on Christ and helping others God dispels our fear, heals our pain, replaces our self-pity and destroys our greed and selfishness. "Let God be exalted!"

O God, my father and my Lord, I ask today that you fill me with your peace and joy. Use me to share it with others around me as I share your Son, Jesus. Use me as an example of love and patience, of forgiveness and compassion. Rid my heart of greed and selfishness and all self-pity as I serve those around me in your name. Help me to feel your presence that is always near. Continue to forgive me and change me. In Jesus name I pray.

May God bless each of us as we rejoice in him and his love.