My Times Are In Your Hands

Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends— those who see me on the street flee from me. I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.

Psalm 31:9-15

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States. It is hard to think about that date without mental images of the destruction, grief and loss that swept over our country. Our innocence was lost.

The loss of thousands of lives was compounded by the deep loss of our feelings of security.

Those horrific events are not the only painful memories of September 11. No matter what kind of sorrow we experience, there is only one real comfort – the mercy of God. Only in the mercy of God can we find comfort for our pain and peace for our troubled hearts.

In all losses, we can turn to the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who alone can heal our brokenness and grief.

When God permits suffering, He also provides comfort.

Our Daily BreadSeptember 11, 2011