A few
years ago I did a funeral of a young man in his twenties. It was a real tragedy
with many questions that might never get answered. Answers and hope at a time
like this can only come from God. We need to look (up) and listen (obediently)
to the Lord.
At
times like these we must look to God through His Word for direction, hope, and
comfort. In Psalm 88 the psalmist begins with his eyes looking up for help.
Lord, you are the God who
saves me;
day and night I cry out to you.
May my
prayer come before you;
turn your ear to my cry.
Then
he looks at the world and starts his lament.
I am
overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. I am
counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without
strength. I am set apart with the dead, like the
slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut
off from your care. You have taken from me my closest
friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am
confined and cannot escape; my eyes are dim with grief. Why, Lord, do you reject me and
hide your face from me?
Then
he looks back up from where our help really comes from.
I
call to you, Lord, every
day; I spread out my hands to you.
I cry
to you for help, Lord; in
the morning my prayer comes before you.
How's
your life? ...
Are
you looking up for your help or looking out? ...
Are you listening?
