5th Week of Lent
Tuesday, 9th April 2019
Num. 21:4-9; Ps. 102(101):2-3,16-18,19-21; Jn. 8:21-30 (Ps Wk I)
We all know what it is to be in distress. It may be a result of losing something precious or someone we love, being retrenched, receiving news of a life-threatening disease, facing bankruptcy, failing an exam, etc. What did we do in our distress?
The Psalmist in “the day of my distress” appealed to God — to “listen to my prayer” (v 1) and “answer me quickly” (v 2). We too can pray like that!
Not only was the Psalmist in distress, the nation was also in distress. And yet the Psalmist prays with hope that “the Lord shall build up Zion again” (v 16). We too can pray with hope that God will build up our nation again.
When God delivers us and our nation out of our distress, what should we do? The Psalmist says, “Let this be written for ages to come that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord” (v 18). Why? So that we remember how God has delivered us and our nation out of our distress. It keeps us looking upward. It assures us that our cry for help does reach God’s ears — God hears us!
Lord, help us to pray with the confidence that You will never despise our prayers; that You will always turn to the prayers of the helpless.
