To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:29.

How do we begin to comprehend the struggles that are part of this life? Reading this psalm, Psalm 109, we see David turning to God and asking Him to do what David in his pain seeks and it is so harsh. How do we comprehend when people do evil against us and others? David is hurting because of the deliberate acts of others against him. He is in pain. In his pain he doesn’t want forgiveness for them or their families. And then we come to the most beautiful sentence that I pray we can all come to: But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me. v. 21. And this: Help me, Lord my God; save me according to your unfailing love. v. 26. And these final verses which seem the opposite of the verses David had prayed in anger: With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him. For he stands at the right hand of the needy, to save their lives from those who would condemn them. v. 30-31.

The needy. Who are the needy? Every single person in this world is in need of their hearts being turned to our Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. We have all sinned and some more grievously than others. We have all been hurt and some more grievously than others. Could you begin to explain to someone who God is if they asked? A whole book of Scripture has been given to help. It includes this psalm of vengeance from a man who deeply loved God. And then we try to grasp how God became flesh and gave Himself for us as the only sacrifice that could atone for all of the sins of all of us, including those who hurt David and you and me…and including the sins I have done that have hurt others and me and my God. Can we explain that? There comes a time when our hearts long for understanding that only our God can provide. He alone has the perspective of creation and eternity. And what I am learning in my journey with Him is to trust Him. For everything. As I trust Him through my own struggles, my heart turns to Him and He is here. His love works powerfully in us when we turn to Him for help, for understanding, for comfort…for Him working in our lives for our good always. Thank You, Lord, for You…for Your unfailing love. For Your name’s sake, Lord, please turn our hearts to You, our God who loves us.