Scripture

But I am afflicted and needy; Hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my protector; O Yahweh, do not delay.

~Psalm 70:5, LSB

Quote

The only way to find peace in this world of sin is to wash Jesus’ feet with the tears of our repentance and do it daily.

~Eitan Shishkoff

The young man I counseled with after the rally last Sunday night was troubled. He told me he prayed the prayer of repentance but that he had done this several times before. I knew the moment I look into his eyes that he was struggling with something. We talked for a while but he was never completely honest. The one thing that was evident was that he was struggling in his faith. A voice in my head said, “How are you any different?” The honest answer to that question is: “I am not.” I’ve been a believer for 65 years and I am still struggling. Psalm 70:5 is me. I am afflicted and needy. Another word for my condition is wretched. Most versions read “Poor and needy,” which is good. The LSB reads, “Afflicted and needy,” and the CSB “Oppressed and needy.” The two words mean different things but they fully express David’s condition and mine as well. Oppressed or afflicted means to be in a bind, a straight, a tight or restricted place, even to the point of being crushed and needy means to be without. We usually think of a needy person as one who is without food, clothing, shelter or any other basic necessities. Here in Psalm 70, David is stating his emotional and spiritual condition.

Sin can get us down and so can repeated failure. Sometimes we feel like throwing in the old proverbial towel. Unfortunately, sin is not the only thing we have to deal with in this fallen world; there is also the curse of sin which is death. This separates us from those we love and creates sorrow and loneliness. Sorrow is just one part of our suffering. Due to these mortal bodies we live in, we suffer physically. Cancer, heart disease, ALS and spinal bifida are just a few of the dreadful diseases that we have to deal with. There is a St. Jude’s commercial of the parent being interviewed. This mom says, “Hearing a doctor say you have cancer is not the worse news. The worse news is hearing the doctor say your child has cancer.” The world has two faces. I saw one face Monday night at the Braves game but if you go to St. Jude’s, you will see another. There is the Hollywood view of glamour and excitement but when we take off the mask, we see a world of hurting people. What is the answer? Where do we look for consolation? The CROSS is the answer. The cross is where love and suffering converge. The cross teaches us that LOVE and SUFFERING are bound together. For God so loved that He gave. The cross is the worse thing that ever happened and yet by God’s infinite grace, it is the best thing that ever happened. The Cross is where suffering and love meet. Isaac Watts captured this truth in hymn,

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Colin Murray Parkes, an Officer in the court of Queen Elizabeth II said, The pain of grief is just as much a part of life as the joy of love; it is, perhaps, the price we pay for love, the cost of commitment. The queen quoted him in her address after the event of 9/11. Elisebeth Elliot says, “Love invariably means sacrifice.” Again, “For God so loved, He gave.” For God…the greatest Person, so loved… the greatest Power, that He gave…the greatest Sacrifice. So how should we respond in light of the our sin and brokenness? Look to the cross and repent. You say, I have already done that…do it again and again and again. Wash His feet with your tears and He will give you grace upon grace.

Extra

Wow, what a glorious day yesterday with a high of 80. It was wonderful. I imagine today is a traveling Day for Gregg and Traci. They have been in Little Rock this week. Busy week: fish fry and Paul’s mothers COLS tomorrow. Doctors appointment today. Lord willing, it is going to be a busy weekend.

Have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.