Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,
For I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses!
Psalm 25: 16,17 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: One of the roots of the word distress is the Latin word districtus, which is the past participle of distringere, to draw apart, hinder. When we are distressed, we are often divided, drawn apart. Have you ever been in a situation where things just seem to be getting worse in spite of your best efforts? This happens to me with plumbing projects, although I have now given these up under the advice of my wife, after causing a minor flood in our kitchen.
In this portion of Psalm 25, we see David crying out to God in affliction, feeling desolate. Perhaps today you feel drawn apart, not knowing which way to go, feeling like you are falling down a deeper and deeper pit. This hole could be of your own volition or through no fault of your own. Remember, it is not the depth of the pit that you are in that matters. Rather, it is the length of the arms of mercy that can pull you out, if you just ask Him. Won't you cry out to the Lord today? He will hear and reach down into the depth of your despair to bring you out into the light of His love.
