Heavy but Hopeful

I'm glad you can join us for today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

I'm Arthur Jackson, and I title today's devotional reading Heavy but Hopeful. In a Penis comic strip, the very enterprising character Lucy advertised psychiatric help for five cents. Linus found his way to her office and acknowledged his deep feelings of depression. When he asked her what he could do about his condition, Lucy's quick reply was, snap out of it.

Five cents, please. While such light-hearted entertainment brings a momentary smile, the sadness and gloom that can grip us when real life happens is not that easily dismissed. Feelings of hopelessness and despair are real, and sometimes professional attention is needed.

Lucy's advice wasn't helpful in addressing real anguish. However, the writer of Psalm 88 does offer something instructive and hopeful. A truckload of trouble had arrived at his doorstep, and so, with raw honesty, he poured out his heart to God. I'm overwhelmed with troubles, and my life draws near to death. You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. Darkness is my closest friend. We hear, feel, and perhaps identify with the psalmist's pain.

Yet that's not all. His lament is laced with hope. Lord, you are the God who saves me. Day and night I cry out to you. May my prayer come before you. Turn your ear to my cry. Heavy things do come, and practical steps such as counsel and medical care may be needed, but never abandon hope in God.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Psalm 88 verses 1 to 13. Lord, you are the God who saves me. Day and night I cry out to you.

May my prayer come before you. Turn your ear to my cry. I'm overwhelmed with troubles, and my life draws near to death. I'm counted among those who go down to the pit. I'm like one without strength. I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care. You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. Your wrath lies heavily on me. You have overwhelmed me with all your waves. You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them.

I am confined and cannot escape. My eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, Lord, every day.

I spread out my hands to you. Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do their spirits rise up and praise you? Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in destruction?

Are your wonders known in the place of darkness or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion? But I cry to you for help, Lord. In the morning, my prayer comes before you. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that life seems very heavy sometimes, and those weighty moments help us to turn our eyes and hearts to you, the one who has invited the burden to come to you and find rest and hope. May we realize your gracious care today. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.