He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer.
Psalm 102:17 NKJV
After lamenting, the psalmist continues his prayer and expresses his expectation that he will see the Lord’s goodness—that God will “arise and have compassion” (Psalm 102:13 NIV). He cries out in full confidence of God’s answer—not because he has anything to offer (feeling “destitute”), but because of God’s immense love for him. The psalmist’s key to enduring suffering is to turn his focus to God’s eternal nature, to His promised plan to show mercy to His people.
Endurance in trials comes not from an immediate alleviation of your circumstances but the expectation that you will see the character of the One who holds you fast; that you will see His mercy and favor (see v. 13), His glory—beheld by all the nations of the earth (see vv. 15–16); that you will witness those things in your own life as you entrust your life to His care.
Whether you feel destitute—of inspiration, willpower, love, physical strength, holiness—He hears you. He doesn’t despise you in your weakness but draws near to you, for nothing can separate you from His love (see Romans 8:38–39). Keep holding on—He will give you strength in the prayer-filled wait for restoration.
Father, when I feel I have little to offer, thank You that You always hear my prayer!
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Today’s reading was adapted from Daily Wisdom for Women: 2018 Devotional Collection with permission from Barbour Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading was written by Karin Dahl Silver.