“Attend to my cry,
for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me!”
– Psalm 142:6
At some point in your life, you’ll probably feel like the psalmist! It may be today or it may be years from now. Your persecutors may be people – abusive coworkers, hurtful family members, angry neighbors, cruel members of your circle of acquaintance. Or your persecutors might be chronic illnesses, painful injuries, permanent disabilities, and pain. Your persecutors might be financial problems beyond your ability to resolve, legal challenges, unmovable bureaucracies, or natural disasters.
When those overwhelming persecutors appear, it’s good to admit they’re too strong for you. Cry out to the Lord just as the psalmist did. God always listens to the cries of His people. Ask Him to both relieve your persecution while recognizing that He often permits such persecution to shape and strengthen your soul. Ask Him to strengthen you to walk through ongoing persecution with Him. Ask Him for the daily bread, grace, strength, and encouragement to keep pressing on. Ask Him for peace in the face of anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Ask Him for comfort amidst ongoing pain.
Confess to the Lord that you’ve been brought low, your pride broken, and your spirit crushed. Pray for your Suffering Savior Jesus to sustain you and wipe away your tears. Ask God for the strength of faith to trust in His ultimate goodness, wisdom, and justice. Cry out when you’re brought low – God will hear you!