Wednesday, July 13th

Hello, all.

My QT for today was really interesting. I studied out Psalm 88. What I found interesting about it was how the writer was really in dispair and God let him "be." Usually, when you think of Psalms, you think of how in touch with emotions the writer is with himself. Psalm 88 is no different than that, however, when we also think of Psalms, you have a victorious ending to each Psalm. Well, with Psalm 88, I never really saw the silver lining on the proverbial cloud. God "let him be." And sometimes, I think that is how it should be. When we suffer, it is good to have friends and loved ones nurture us back to our true comfort zone, but then there are times when we need to feel our pain and really get real with ourselves. Writing this makes me think of the prodigal son story in the new testament. The son went out and had to hit bottom for him to really come back and get help. I think Psalm 88 may be more a prodigal son type story. Anyway, I would love to hear all of your thoughts. Below are the scriptures. Hope to hear from you all real soon.

Scriptures:

Psalm 88:1-18
1 O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you.
2 May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.
3 For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave.
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength.
5 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.
6 You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths.
7 Your wrath lies heavily upon me;you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. Selah
8 You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape;
9 my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you.
10 Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you? Selah
11 Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction?
12 Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?
13 But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14 Why, O LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me?
15 From my youth I have been afflicted and close to death; I have suffered your terrors and am in despair.
16 Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me.
17 All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me.
18 You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend.

Side Note:
just something for fun, but I am doing the "beat the streak" with mlb.com and found it really entertaining to do. There are some really cool prizes, but I am more into for the bragging rights. Anyway, check it out if you are interested.