Psalm 116:4-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!”
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6 The LORD preserves the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return, O my soul, to your rest;
for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
8 For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling;
Luther viewed Psalm 116 as referring to Christ throughout. (AE 11:400) It is awesome to think that this was the last hymn Jesus sang before His “exodus” (Luke 9:31) on the cross. 1
God is not silent when we suffer. On every page of Scripture, God's children have been able to find hope and a reason to endure. See 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (ESV)
God hasn't promised to explain everything about what He does and what He allows. God understands. You aren't alone. If we know anything about God, we know that He comes close to those who suffer, so keep your eyes open for Him.
Be gracious to your people, we entreat you, O Lord, that they, repenting day by day of the things that displease you, may be more and more filled with love of you and of your commandments; and, being supported by your grace in this life, may come to the full enjoyment of eternal life in you everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen 2
[1] Lutheran
Study Bible, © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis
Luther’s
Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
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