Psalm 25:16-17, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.”
Years ago I found myself in the worst of all places – alone. Because of a poor decision, a wrong turn, I ended up in a place of despair and desperation with no one to rely upon but God. I was doing mission work in Guatemala, and in trying to help someone else, I became the person who needed help.
Verses came to mind. Verses I’d read. Verses I’d memorized. Verses I’d heard preached. Verses from a Book of promises flowed through my head. I didn’t know how things would turn-out, I only knew Who was with me. It is strange in situations like the one I found myself in, how God graciously gives us the peace we need to endure. Although I’d never felt so alone, I knew deep within my soul, I wasn’t.
Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Darkness does everything in its power to convince us that God has turned His back, that we are not worthy of His protection. But the reality is, God goes into the darkness with us.
I remember the moment I realized I was safe again; the overwhelming feeling that I had survived, that I would see my children again, that God had pulled me out of the mess I’d found myself in.
Maybe you are there. Whether it be loneliness, despair, grief, or isolation, God feels what we feel and understands our pain. He isn’t absent. Psalm 18:16 assures us, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.”
No matter where you are, He will come to you. You need only to call on His name.
