Psalm 68:19-20 “The Lord deserves praise! Day after day he carries our burden, the God who delivers us. Our God is a God who delivers; the Lord, the sovereign Lord, can rescue from death.”

Where would we be if we had to carry all our burdens alone? I can only speak for myself, but honestly, if I had not had the Lord in my life I probably would not be here today. My life was hard. Growing up I was an emotional wreck so much of the time. Trying to wrestle with the why’s of life. Why did I have to suffer abuse? Why didn’t my parents get along? When would it end? And then there were my own failures, my struggles to know who I was. Add to all that the chaos of life going on around me and it is a recipe for disaster…except for the Lord, who carried my burdens, the God who each day delivered me emotionally. The Lord who was sovereign over every moment allowing only that which he said was okay.

We do not like to think that God would allow us to suffer in any way. But scripture tells us he allows it for our good and his glory. I cannot see and know all that God is working out and doing. His knowledge and reasons are far above my little mind. But I can know that he is always with me, he is always carrying my burden lest I be consumed by it. Yes, my life was no fun, I cried so many tears I was convinced I had used them all up and would not have any if I ever needed them again.

Even then when I went to my secret place to pray and talk things over with the Lord, I could feel a lifting of my spirits. When I got up from my tearstained grass bed, my heart was quiet, my tears dried up, my soul had peace. Why? Because God met me there, even me a young child with little faith of her own, and the borrowed faith of my grandmother. He saw my tears, heard my cry for help and administered his mercy, his grace, and his peace.

I think one reason we have tribulations and trials is so that we can minister to others along our way. Scripture even says as much. 2 Corinthians 1:4 “Who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” If we had never had a trial or heartache, what good would we be to someone going through it?

Isn’t it a wonderful thing to know that God hears our cries for mercy. His ears are attentive to his children. Psalm 18:6 “But in my distress, I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.” I do not know all that goes on in heaven, but I am sure there are much activities and noise, and yet God hears even the faintest cry from one of his children.

We need not worry or be overwhelmed by life. God is always on the lookout, always on our side, always hearing our prayers and always delivering us. It may not look what you think you need at the time, but I assure you if God says it is, it is! I will leave you with this scripture.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”