Psalms 102:1-28 (NLT)
1 A prayer of one overwhelmed with trouble, pouring out problems before the LORD. LORD, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea!
2 Don’t turn away from me in my time of distress. Bend down to listen, and answer me quickly when I call to you.
3 For my days disappear like smoke, and my bones burn like red-hot coals.
4 My heart is sick, withered like grass, and I have lost my appetite.
5 Because of my groaning, I am reduced to skin and bones.
6 I am like an owl in the desert, like a little owl in a far-off wilderness.
7 I lie awake, lonely as a solitary bird on the roof.
8 My enemies taunt me day after day. They mock and curse me.
9 I eat ashes for food. My tears run down into my drink
10 because of your anger and wrath. For you have picked me up and thrown me out.
11 My life passes as swiftly as the evening shadows. I am withering away like grass.
12 But you, O LORD, will sit on your throne forever. Your fame will endure to every generation.
13 You will arise and have mercy on Jerusalem—and now is the time to pity her, now is the time you promised to help.
14 For your people love every stone in her walls and cherish even the dust in her streets.
15 Then the nations will tremble before the LORD. The kings of the earth will tremble before his glory.
16 For the LORD will rebuild Jerusalem. He will appear in his glory.
17 He will listen to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas.
18 Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the LORD.
19 Tell them the LORD looked down from his heavenly sanctuary. He looked down to earth from heaven
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to release those condemned to die.
21 And so the LORD’s fame will be celebrated in Zion, his praises in Jerusalem,
22 when multitudes gather together and kingdoms come to worship the LORD.
23 He broke my strength in midlife, cutting short my days.
24 But I cried to him, “O my God, who lives forever, don’t take my life while I am so young!
25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands.
26 They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing. You will change them like a garment and discard them.
27 But you are always the same; you will live forever.
28 The children of your people will live in security. Their children’s children will thrive in your presence.”
When the reality of life surrounding us is wrought with despair and discouragement, there is a place to go where none of that is acknowledged or given place. Trials and difficulties are sure to come, along with their perspectives of a forgotten and hopeless status. To continue focusing on them when they raise their ugly heads, though, only gives them significance and power to continue in their devastation. No matter how grim the circumstance, however, there is another discussion that will, first of all, transform the spirit from downcast to uplifted. When it feels like a loss is overwhelming, it’s so powerful to leave the groaning about what life has ushered in and begin acknowledging the One who is above it all. In simply turning from the peril to the Priest, there is a lifting of the head from the ground to the heavens. This change of focus allows the feet to follow this adjustment of destination from downward and despairing to upward and exalting. When the limitations and weaknesses of humanity cloud any vision of victory or triumph, recognizing the power and majesty of the Almighty God, who only wins and is the source of every good thing, makes possible what could never take place in the grip of the pit. There is a power activated in praising Him that breaks the chains of gloom so that the steps of faith can follow the path of righteousness to the brightness and triumph of its inevitable end.