Struggle and Faith
AM Psalm 69:1-23(24-30)31-38 • PM Psalm 73
Gen. 24:1-27 • Heb. 12:3-11 • John 7:1-13
“As for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me.”
In Psalm 69, the psalmist, perhaps David, and the reader journey from sinking in mire and weary throats to zeal for God to petition and longing to praise of God. The psalmist is a committed and faithful follower lamenting the hatred he experiences.
Verse 13 captured me. It says it all.
I pray to God.
I live in God’s time and attempt to trust that timing.
God’s steadfast love and grace are in absolute abundance.
God does answer our prayers.
This verse is nestled between the struggle of our psalmist and their praise of God. Our psalmist faithfully holds suffering, doubt, and fear with trust, belief, and praise. The verse neither erases the struggle nor forgets to trust in God. Everything is held together in prayer.
Modern (American) Christianity insists on optimism in a way that our ancient faithful psalmist does not. He knows the pain of life and the praise of God. He knows that acknowledging the struggle is still faithful. You do not have to pretend life is perfect. You do not have to believe that everything happens for a reason. You do not have to insist on constant optimism.
Today, I hope you know that your struggle and your faith are both real and valid. God is in it all. We can trust in God and God’s timing while naming our pain and acknowledging our grief.
Written by Rev. Adelyn Tyler
Adelyn loves reminding people that all of their feelings are valid and that all emotions are gifts of God’s creation. If any of this touched you, she recommends reading Kate Bowler. No Cure for Being Human: And Other Truths I Need to Hear and Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved are both beautiful, faithful accounts of the realities of life.