Ps 119:81-88 Kaph
81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. 82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, "When will you comfort me?" 83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees. 84 How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors? 85 The arrogant dig pitfalls for me, contrary to your law. 86 All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause. 87 They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. 88 Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.

She was shunned by her friends and watched silently as many of her fellow church members spoke badly of her husband. He had dared to say something that was different from what most in that church believed and then went so far as suggestion they should consider it as possibly being the truth. He left the ministry and together they opened a business. After a few short years the business failed and they were without income. Now she was faced with a lot of new problems as they struggled to keep the house and pay the bills. It was about a year after this that she lost her baby shortly after giving birth. Then came the health problems. She suffered more than one life threatening event and finally was told she must live in pain for the rest of her life. As she looked me in the eyes and with tears coming down her face, she asked “why?” “What have I done that I am being punished so badly?” “How do I go on?”

Each of us has faced similar emotions. We ask what else could happen to us or observe that when it rains is pours. How do we deal with this? How do we go on? Our loss, our hurt, our pain, our feeling of helplessness overwhelms us.

In the midst of all this, our lady saw someone else with problems just as bad as hers but who always smiled and who obviously never lost hope. This second lady told her that she had learned to just trust God. She had felt the same emotions, she had hurt just as badly, she had been rejected by friends and talked about too, (her husband also a preacher) but she never lost hope because she knew that her Lord was always with her and would never leave her. In Jesus she found the strength to carry on with a smile. Each of us can have that same peace and joy.

O God, I thank you for all the times you have carried me through the trials of life and have been so faithful to provide my every need. I am truly sorry for the times I have doubted you or have turned from you to other sources for my help. Help me to leave an example for others to follow by being at peace in my life by being at peace with you. Use me to encourage others to carry on and to trust your constant care and your love. I pray in the name of Jesus, my friend and my Lord. Robert