Psalm 6:9. “The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.”
HARD TIMES. Dark clouds come over the soul; the needed joy is hidden deep in the recesses of failure. No sound of singing rises in the night; no joy in the morning; loud silences rule. The weakness of the flesh has made the wrong become strong; please help. Waiting for correction fills the soul with dread; undone right demands attention. Head bowed, knees bent, wet eyes, hands clasped tightly together – still the temptation is there. HAVE MERCY UPON ME, O LORD!
The hurt is getting worse; the pain of the mind and soul is nearly unbearable – the enemy is near. Relief is nowhere to be found; it flees like cool water under the blazing heat of antagonism. It seems like there is no movement can be made without the aching of my bones. Even those who are qualified to help are not here – they are with the opposition – the enemy. The longing for relief is all-consuming; please come soon to deliver, to lift the siege, and to give hope. O LORD, HEAL ME!
The enemy continues to circle, intent on finding weak spots – places that cannot be defended. To them, my Lord and Master, the Leader is gone, and we are left in helplessness – alone. The smallness of numbers, like waifs in the wilderness, attract the carrion who are watching. There is no sound of trumpets blowing to herald coming deliverance – we hear only silence. Distress signals go unanswered; each passing day brings us closer to the inevitable end of fruitful years. O LORD, DELIVER MY SOUL!
The numbers decline; the abilities fade with passing years; the wanting doesn’t stop the appeals. The earth piles increase, and the red eyes still water; hope is still here, but is weakening. There is no sound of coming armies; no sight of a group of horsemen drawing near. The dwindling supplies needed to maintain existence give no hope at all, voices get quieter That one time spoke in confidence, but now struggles for words and coherent thoughts – but can’t. O SAVE ME FOR THY MERCIES SAKE!
“O God our Father, it is hard to see something that was once vibrant and alive gradually fading before my eyes like a shriveled leaf. Once, there was a flow of life-giving Gospel, and the teaching of the Word was sound and good. But the small group of ancient people that is left does not leave us with a lot of hope for the future. Hear us, O God, and deliver us from extinction. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”