You listen to the longings of those who suffer. You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help (Psalm 10:17, CEV).

Photo by Eric E. Wright

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is suffering.

We all suffer or have suffered in various ways, whether it’s physical, psychological or emotional pain. To be human is to suffer.

Our God is the God of nerve endings. We were designed to feel both pain and pleasure. The same nerve endings that give us joy and pleasure can scream out in pain and agony.

Have you heard an atheist railing against God because He allows humans to experience joy and pleasant sensations? Of course not, but God is blamed for allowing suffering. The God of nerve endings allows us to experience both pleasure and pain, and I’m so glad He does.

But beyond all this God hears us when we suffer.

You listen to the longings of those who suffer. You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help (Psalm 10:17, CEV).

God understands our pleasure and our pain because in the body of Jesus, He fully became one of us.

Response: Lord Jesus, I thank you for identifying with our problems, suffering and weakness. I determine in my heart to thank and praise you both in times of joy and in times of pain. Amen.

Your Turn: How do you respond to suffering? Why is it difficult to praise God in hard times?