A Memory

1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off?

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

(Psalm 10)

Immediately upon reading this verse, I was brought back to a hospital bed. Alone in a dark room among humming machines, my tear-stained eyes gazing up into the darkness in prayer. I was 15. I was paralyzed.

God, I knew you were not hiding. But you were withholding your healing hand. How wise, Lord. How amazing is your discipline. Because of the great confidence-shattering suffering I had to endure, my faith grew. I knew I was nothing; my Lord was everything.

17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, 18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.

(Psalm 10)

Praise be to you, my God! With you there is no darkness at all. In your great love, you allow me to suffer. You want me to know that I need help. Help me to live as a servant of your holy Word. Amen.