He Hears my Voice and Cry

Scripture:
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
    he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
    I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me,
    the anguish of the grave came over me;
    I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
    “Lord, save me!”

The Lord is gracious and righteous;
    our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary;
    when I was brought low, he saved me.

Return to your rest, my soul,
    for the Lord has been good to you.

Psalm 116:1-7

Observation: The psalmist celebrates their liberation and salvation, recalling their lowly state, and thanking God for delivering them when they called out and asked for saving.

Application Today, I claim this as a past-tense promise, while I still await salvation from the lowest point in my life. I am overcome by distress and sorrow ... and I cry for mercy and salvation over and over again. I command my soul to rest from the torture and torment and sadness it currently experiences, because I have faith the Lord has heard my cry. He has heard my prayers, and is at this moment prepared to deliver me from my afflictions.

The Lord provides. The Lord will provide. The Lord is gracious and loving, and his promise to the faithful endures forever. I cry to the Lord, and he hears me. He has saved me even when I was poor and lowly to the point of not knowing I was lost. He will save me now, by his mercy and wisdom. The Lord has been - and will always be - good to me and my family.

Prayer: Lord, again today I cry to you. I have never been "depressed" but you know that I am now. Yet in this valley, I look up to you and absolutely trust in your love. I seek relief, but the truth is I already have that relief in the form of your promises. May my soul rest. Amen.