The Lord remembers us

This year I made a goal to read through the entire Bible.  The reading plan I chose is a straight-through plan: Genesis to Revelation. A lot of popular reading plans give you passages from the Old Testament, New Testament and a Psalm or Proverb each day, but I preferred to read it front to back. I bought a Bible divided up into daily sections, each with an introduction that gives a bit of historical/spiritual input.

The entire month of June has been devoted to the book of Psalms: 150 chapters of verse over 30 days. That breaks down to an average of 5 Psalms per day (though some are much longer and take an entire day's reading to themselves). Today's introduction for the last day in the Psalms asked, "How have you been affected by spending a month in the Psalms?"

I think what affects me the most are the honest, unabashed moments of fear and despair. David is God's chosen one, and yet he still doesn't have all the answers. He and the other authors cry out to God, asking why they can't see Him, can't feel Him, can't understand His ways. There are quiet, lonely moments of despair and angry, wailing cries of fear and doubt. They mourn, rant and plead...but they are always calling out to God, baring their hearts to the Lord. 

To me, this is one of the truest and most vulnerable expressions of spirituality and faith. Being a Christian means that our path is set and our destination assured, but it doesn't mean there won't be  roadblocks and ditches and times of utter darkness along the way. The Psalms show us that it's OK to express fear and doubt and despair...but always remember to cry out to God. Every time, every place. Cry out to God. Don't walk alone when you don't have to. There will be darkness, but He is there and He is listening.

"I call to You, Lord, every day;
I spread out my hands to You." (Ps. 88:9)

And then, to counter each lament, there are Psalms of praise and thanks. Some are tumultuous in their joy, piling wild and extravagant praises unto the name of God. Others are quiet, respectful and subdued. And those, to me, speak the loudest.

"In you, Lord my God, I put my trust." (25:1)

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." (4:8)

"The Lord remembers us...Praise the Lord." (115:12,18)

He will always remember us.