Lord, Thanks

Lord, why? Lord, please! Lord, help.

These words have ended up in my prayers a lot lately.

This year has been a year of changes for me. It has — with more changes to come, possibly. And these changes have come with waves of grief, loneliness, confusion, desperation, frustration, and questions. Questions that beg for revelations. Questions that have answers only God knows.

And so I cry out. I plead for pity, relief, direction, now.

But in so doing, I don’t meditate enough on what I do have now because of God.

I don’t reflect enough on the fact that in spite of all the groaning and pain, I am safe in the palm of God’s mighty hand through faith in Christ Jesus. That through it all, I still have so much to be grateful for — and so much to look forward to.

Lord, I hurt.

“My soul is in anguish. How long, O Lord, how long?” (Psalm 6:3)

But…I am safe.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Lord, the people and creatures of this world are hurting.

“Man’s fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other.” (Ecclesiastes 3:19a)

But…you have given hope.

“‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’” (John 3:16)

Lord, this world seems so unfair.

“If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things…” (Ecclesiastes 5:8a)

But…you are a God of justice.

“The Lord is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.” (Psalm 9:16)

Lord, this world is so evil…

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“‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless…’” (Romans 3:10-12a)

…I am so evil…

“My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.” (Psalm 38:4) 

But…you are a God of mercy.

“…who has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…” (2 Timothy 1:9)

Lord, I’m so undeserving.

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” (Psalm 103:8-10)

Lord, I don’t understand my life.

“Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God’? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” (Isaiah 40:27-28)

Lord, how do I go on from here?

“‘But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’” (Matthew 6:33) 

A year of changes. Thanksgiving probably won’t feel the same for me this year. But perhaps that will make me better see and understand the most important thing I should be grateful for:

That despite the losses, the messes, and the questions, there is One who stands above all of that — and stands with me in the thick of it.

The God who loves. The God of justice and the God of mercy. The God who never fails.

Lord, thanks.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…” (Hebrews 12:28)

A most blessed Thanksgiving to all of you!

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