Who among you fears God like the people of Israel did in times past? They were sorrowful for their sins. Like David, many would cry day and night unto the God of our salvation. In the abundance of their hearts, they prayed and asked God to hear them. If only His mercy would be upon them, for their souls were troubled. Because of the gravity of their sins, they knew God was not happy with them. The world also appeared to be falling down upon them and they needed God’s peace to carry on. Many people were dying and they could be among them soon also. Without God in their lives, they had no strength. If only God would hear their prayers. David felt this way and prayed, “O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength.” (Psalm 88:1-4)
In our depression and despair, death is often on our minds. We feel just like those who are slain and/or in the grave now. How it is better suited for us also than be alive. As most of these people will not be remembered and are cut off from God, we wonder if we will also be forgotten, while not being in His right standing. We feel like we are in a pit and need the Lord’s hand to get out of it. There is so much darkness and despair. God’s wrath is upon us and we are weak. David felt this way as he prayed. “I am as a man that hath no strength, free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.” (Psalm 88:5-7) But don’t give up. God’s mercy is for you. He will come and lift you up, while giving you the strength to carry on. Please know that His mercy is for you. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray for Your hand of mercy. Your people have sinned greatly in Your sight, but we are sorry. Hear our prayers. Our confessions are sincere, and we know the gravity of our sins. These wicked things have pierced our hearts and now it is hard to carry on because of it. You know exactly who I am talking about. Many people have concealed these evil things up until now, but now we have become burdened because of our past. God, we have confessed our sins one to another and confess our sins to You also. It is understandable that people may not forgive us, but You are different. Jesus, You died for sins, that we might be made clean through Your blood. So clean us from the inside out, even now. Cleanse us of all our iniquities. Give us clean hands and a pure heart. We were not living for You in the past, but we are ready to now. We come in oneness together and say, I give You my life. Come and take me by the hand and lead me to green pastures. I will do as You say. Give me strength, dear Lord. I love You. Amen.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. RSV