I was catching up with a long-time friend recently who has endured a lot in the past few years. One difficulty after another with little time in between to catch his breath.
Compounding trials are some of the most difficult times in life to endure. It is hard to get the victory when you become more and more worn down.
As I prayed for my friend, two words came to mind – compassion and abundance. I found those two words in a psalm of David. But before we get to the verse with those two words, listen to how the psalm begins: “Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me; for I am poor and needy.” [86:1 NKJV]
Interesting that David asks God to bow down His ear to him. It is as if David cannot lift his own head up to the LORD but must ask God to bow down to his level. I know I have felt that way a few times in my life. Trials and difficulties had beaten me into the ground and unless God came to my level, I would have been bereft of any comfort.
But God did bow His ear to David’s need and He did bow His ear to my needs also. David acknowledges that in verse 15.
“But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering, and abundant in mercy and truth.” [Psalm 86:15 NKJV]
God is full of compassion. God is abundant in mercy. No matter how many trials or difficulties assault us, they will never exhaust God’s compassion or abundant mercy.
Today: Thank you LORD that you are willing to come down to us when we are beaten down by life, and that the deep wells of your compassion and mercy never run dry.