Oct 12, 2024
The 2024 edition of Our Best Thought is inspired by our 2024 Bible Reading Plan and features writings thoughtfully crafted by contributors reflecting on their daily devotions. “Our Best Thought“ is taken from the hymn, “Be Thou My Vision” as a reference to God: “Thou my best thought, by day or by night.”
Reading: Psalms 102
Scripture:
Psalm 102:5-6
5 In my distress I groan aloud
and am reduced to skin and bones.
6 I am like a desert owl,
like an owl among the ruins.
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Observation:
Psalm 102 is the heartfelt prayer of a weary soul, overwhelmed by affliction, pouring out a lament before the Lord. Of its 28 verses, the first 11 echo with groans of sorrow, while the remaining 17 are filled with declarations of God’s mercy and glory. Though His mercy and glory are ever-sufficient, sorrow and lament still have their place in life’s difficult seasons.
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Application:
Often, we instinctively respond to others’ pain with phrases like “Keep the faith,” “I’ll pray for you,” or “Trust God, He knows best.” We might even say these things to ourselves, unconsciously believing that if we were strong enough in our faith, we shouldn’t feel anxious or sorrowful. Yet, the Bible is filled with stories of faithful people who poured out their sorrows before God, surrendering them fully before finding rest in His sovereignty. Let’s not rush to dismiss sorrow; it is often through processing our deepest struggles that we truly encounter God.
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Prayer:
Father God, thank You for the gift of tears, through which You allow us to express and find healing in our sorrow. Help us to be honest with ourselves and with You when we come before You so that Your Spirit may work within us, bringing true rest and peace in the midst of our struggles. Amen.