We Cry Out — Broken & Hopeful

We cry out wondering “Why?”
We cry out for mercy, for change.
We cry out for relief from our suffering and that of others.
We cry out with David, “How long, O Lord?” 

We know you are mighty to save.
We know you are present and able to rescue.
We know you feel this pain with us as we grieve.
We know you see us—we are not absent from your heart. 

But we cry out for peace.
We cry out for hope when the future looks bleak.
We cry out for freedom from those who control and manipulate.
We cry out for your strong arm to reach in and bring us out. 

We know you are a good Father.
We know you love us more than we could imagine.
We know you see and hear our pain.
We know that you will never leave or forsake us. 

But we cry out for the ones in pain.
We cry out for the ones who ache for relief.
We cry out for a morning not edged with grief when we wake.
We cry out for the tears to stop pouring all night.

We know you are the Provider.
We know you are the Shepherd.
We know you are the Light of a very dark world.
We know you are the Way when it looks like there is no way ahead. 

But we cry out wondering when we will see the other side.
We cry out from the valley of the shadow of death.
We cry out from the prison of circumstance.
We cry out for renewed joy and strength that holds up our heads.

We know you are a strong shield around us.
We know you are Life, not what we see around us.
We know you are the hope that wakes us,
Reminding us that there is a future and a hope that is not a disappointing fantasy. 

We cry out from the heaviness of the world,
But we know you are the burden-bearer and we can’t carry it alone.
We cry out from the pain of the suffering,
But we know you are the compassionate Comforter who lifts us up.

We cry out from the seemingly endless path ahead,
But we know you are our strength for each moment of each day.
We cry out because we need You desperately,
And you are faithful to be present every time we cry out.
We cry out because we don’t understand and can’t make sense of it,
But we trust you to love us through and bring hope and light to darkness. 

I long to drink of you, O God, to drink deeply from the streams of pleasure flowing from your presence. My longings overwhelm me for more of you! My soul thirsts, pants, and longs for the living God. I want to come and see the face of God. Day and night my tears keep falling and my heart keeps crying for your help, while my enemies mock me over and over, saying, “Where is this God of yours? Why doesn’t he help you?”

So I speak over my heartbroken soul,“ Take courage. Remember when you used to be right out front leading the procession of praise when the great crowd of worshipers gathered to go into the presence of the Lord? You shouted with joy as the sound of passionate celebration filled the air and the joyous multitude of lovers honored the feast of the Lord!”

So then, my soul, why would you be depressed? Why would you sink into despair? Just keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior. For no matter what, I will still sing with praise, for you are my saving grace! Here I am depressed and downcast. Yet I will still remember you as I ponder the place where your glory streams down from the mighty mountaintops, lofty and majestic—the mountains of your awesome presence. My deep need calls out to the deep kindness of your love. Your waterfall of weeping sent waves of sorrow over my soul, carrying me away, cascading over me like a thundering cataract.

All through the day Yahweh has commanded his endless love to pour over me. Through the night I sing his songs and my praises  to the living God. I will say to God, “You are my mountain of strength; how could you forget me? Why must I suffer this vile oppression of my enemies—these heartless tormentors who are out to kill me?” Their wounding words pierce my heart over and over while they say, “Where is this God of yours?”

So I say to my soul, “Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed. For I know my God will break through for me.” Then I’ll have plenty of reasons to praise him all over again. Yes, he is my saving grace!
Psalm 42