Day 4: The spirit of heaviness
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God (Psalm 42:5).
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. You are the source of all joy: Splendor and majesty are before You; strength and joy are in Your dwelling place (1 Chronicles 16:27). The Lord Jesus reiterated this truth, promising complete joy to those who remain in Him (John 15:10-11). And yet, not all our circumstances are joyous.
You understand, O Lord, the "sins and griefs" of this life. You understand the pain of loss, and the angst of travail. You have given us emotional outlets and helpful channels to grieve, and to process, and to heal. But You understand when our hearts are overwhelmed—when troubles threaten to engulf us, and to consume us in their frequency and intensity.
You understand the catastrophic ambush of circumstances, and the steady drain of chronic strain. You understand our battles on the outside and fears on the inside (2 Corinthians 7:5 -ESV)—and You understand the cunning ruthlessness of the thief that comes to steal, and kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
Father, You have not left us defenseless against the constant barrage—the unending assault in the battlefield of the mind. You offer us Your sure defense against the onslaught of darkness, despair, heaviness, and hopelessness.
And amid all Your comforting promises and affirmations—the countless reminders of the grace, peace, joy, strength, and hope that are in You—our greatest assurance is the knowledge of the Joy-Giver You sent To console those who mourn... To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...” (Isaiah 61:3 - NKJV).
Lord, You know the trials and challenges that come with this life. You know our seasons of grief and sorrow. You know our times of pain and heartache. And You know our humanness and our struggles—our susceptibility to worry, doubt, and fear. We lay it all down before You.
Whatever our season, wherever we are, fill us with the knowledge of Your truth. Let it lodge in our inmost being, and rise as a strong defense when we are hurt, vulnerable and afraid. Like Jeremiah, who said, "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope..." (Lamentations 3:21). Like David, who said, "My soul is downcast...therefore I will remember You..." (Psalm 42:6). Like Nehemiah, who said, "the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Father, this life is of few days and full of trouble (Job 14:1). But David reminds us, Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me (Psalm 138:7 - NKJV).
Pour today the oil of joy over the sorrowing and the brokenhearted—in place of mourning. Clothe the heavy-laden and the broken in spirit with garments of praise—in place of heaviness. Teach us to Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always (1 Chronicles 16:8-11). Restore hope, restore joy, restore faith as we pray to You:
Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you (Psalm 86:4).
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