24 March 2013 - word to the weary

24 March 2013 - word to the weary

The Lord GOD has given me
a well-trained tongue,
that I might know how to speak to the weary
a word that will rouse them.

We are weary, so let us listen as the LORD speaks. Let us listen as he enables his people to minister to us with words that build us up. But it is hard to listen to anything when we feel abandoned.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

It is important for us to realize that it is OK to have this feeling. It is just that in the midst of feelings like this we must always call to mind the truth which is true regardless of how we feel.

I will proclaim your name to my brethren;
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you

To hold fast to this truth we must hear him speak it. On our own we struggle to listen but we need to have ears open to hear him.

he opens my ear that I may hear;
and I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.

Even when we feel abandoned his truth is accessible to us. When we feel that we don't have any attention to give him due to our suffering he wants to open our ears. He wants to give us the grace to know his truth and so to follow him steadfastly with our faces like flint . The truth is that Jesus is the LORD of all, king of the universe.

Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

So even as we suffer let us hold fast to this truth. As we are emptied of ourselves let us cling to God with obedience. In doing so we know we walk the way of Jesus, who loves us more than he loves his own life. This inspires confidence that our suffering too will eventually reveal deep meaning.

The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;

And one day we too will experience the lasting and abiding joy of which we now only have a foretaste.

“I tell you, if they keep silent,
the stones will cry out!”