“Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
For you, God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
Increase the days of the king’s life,
his years for many generations.
May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
and fulfill my vows day after day.”
(Psalm 61, NIV)
As I write this entry early in the morning, a good friend of mine prepares for surgery. It is his second reconstructive heart surgery in about a month. For a 37 year old, this is unimaginable. The emotional, spiritual, psychological, and physical roller coaster Ben, Jenn, and their entire family have hoped was slowing towards an end is in fact ratcheting up for another round, almost as if its operator is asleep in the booth. At least, that’s how it can seem.
For Ben, the moments ahead are intensely fragile. He is completely in God’s hands. Like a leaf swirling in uncertainty. Like the faint hearted psalmist above, Ben and his family need the Lord to lead them “to the rock that is higher than I”. Would you join me in prayer this morning for God to literally extend the years of Ben’s life? To be a very present and real refuge to his wife and kids. Would you pray with me for God to literally create a new heart within Ben?
Father, in this universe there is nothing that surprises you or catches you off guard. You are Sovereign and you are Good. We feel so harassed by our circumstances, fragile, dizzied, and out of control. Would you rescue and sustain, heal and restore, strengthen and renew Ben and his family? Would you supernaturally do what doctors imagine is impossible, that we, together with all your saints who have fought and struggled in the faith, would glorify your name and tell the world of the wonders you’ve done. Would you do this in the lives of every faint and battered heart that may read these words – showing yourself Great, showing yourself Loving, and showing yourself Good. We put our trust in you, King of the Universe – we love you. In the powerful name of Jesus,
Amen
