When Eugene Peterson wrote about Psalm 89 in his book of daily devotions, Praying with the Psalms, he shared:

The psalm as a whole is a study in proportions. The jagged intensity of the complaint (vv. 38-51) is set in an expansive witness to God's promise (vv. 1-37, 52). Thirteen verses of trouble are buttressed by thirty-nine verses of trust. Devotion offers both trust and trouble to God.

The psalm was written by a Levite priest during a time of abject misery for the whole nation of Israel. It foretells the coming Messiah — our hope and theirs — the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus' words as recorded in the gospels are God talking directly to us. This promise of His is for everyone:

Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (NIV)

I have noticed that when we are troubled, burdened, or weary, we may not think clearly. We know that something is wrong, we feel overwhelmed, and our attention stays on the problem.

When I take a burden to the Lord in prayer, I have learned a series of things that I can say that help me to change focus and prepare to receive His already-provided solution/promise.

The conversation goes something like this:

Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus.
I have a concern about …
It could mean …
The worst thing about this is …
The most upsetting part of it is …
What is written in the Bible that can help me?

The whole of Hebrews chapter four spells out our rights as believers. We are permitted to come to Jesus, even though He is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. The concluding verse says:

Hebrews 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV)

Do we use a time of trouble as an opportunity to come to the Lord with childlike trust?

Prayer: Father in heaven, increase our confidence that You are kind and welcoming. Remind us constantly that, in Christ, all that brings fullness of life is abundant and readily available. May we use it for Your glory and kingdom. In the name of Jesus our Lord, we ask. Amen.

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About the author:

Pat Bell <llebpat@gmail.com>
Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada
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