TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. Psalm 13:3-4
Read: Psalm 13:3–4
Listen: Psalm 13
TODAY’S MESSAGE
David moves from complaint to asking God for help. The problem and pain persist; the situation is far from resolved. David determines not just to vent his problems but pleads with God to move in the midst of them. He shifts his perspective from the problem and pain to the Provider.
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, people fall at his feet and plead for his help. A man with leprosy begs on his knees for Jesus to heal him (Mark 1:40-45). Synagogue leader Jairus pleads earnestly with Jesus to save his dying daughter (Mark 5:22-24). A Syrian woman begs Jesus to drive a demon out of her daughter (Mark 7:24-26). At the end of their resources, people flock to Jesus petitioning him to do what only he could. They withhold no emotion and boldly ask for his intervention.
After presenting our complaints to God, we must move into request—asking God to move and act in the situation. We may not see the answer right away. His methods may not match what we had in mind. Our perspective shifts as we hold up our pain to our gracious Lord and Provider. We find peace in the pain, and it comes through petition.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Build on the prayer of lament you started yesterday. Look back at the situations you brought to God in complaint. Now, spend time asking God to work. Whether you need healing, peace, wisdom or restoration, ask God to reveal himself and move in the situation. Finish this sentence in your journal or on your mobile device. “Gracious God, help me with ___________.”
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is Mark 10.
