As I sat with a dear saint suddenly bed ridden, so weak and frail, I have to admit, it hurt to watch. This person has stormed the throne for countless individuals, whether she knew them or not. For years. Though she ran her own company, each morning, she spent over an hour in prayer. Her list was so long, she admitted it took closer to 90 minutes to get through it.
So I had to ask, “Lord. Why does this precious prayer warrior have to suffer so? She has been so faithful? Quietly. For so many people and for so many years.” There was no answer. But the reality of the sinful world we live in became very clear. We are faced with sin and death. The curse that we inherited back in Genesis brought us aging and disease. And it is painful.
With that, I knew that the only place I could turn was the Scriptures. When you are hurting, many times, there are no words. So, for those times that you just don’t know what to say, may I suggest the beautiful poetry of the Psalms. I turned to Psalm 34 for this particular situation. I now leave it with you
Psalm 34
The LORD, a Provider and Deliverer.
1 I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.
3 O magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
9 O fear the LORD, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him there is no want.
10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.
11 Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Who is the man who desires life
And loves length of days that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
And His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers,
To cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones,
Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
