The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. (Ps. 6:9)
Expanded Passage: Psalm 6
I was agonizing over what to write for my paper. I could not fully understand the instructions the professor had given us, and as I sat staring at my computer screen, I was left confused and frustrated. After a lot of thinking, typing, and deleting, I remembered something—I remembered that I could ask my professor for clarification and that I could also talk to my classmates about their understanding of the assignment. I remembered I was not alone, and then I began asking for help. Everyone I talked to was more than willing to help me toward completing my assignment, but first I had to ask.
Just like I had a professor and classmates who were willing to help me, we have a God who loves to listen to us, comfort us, help us, and forgive us—but first we must ask. When we feel stuck in sin, shame, unhealthy habits, or in a cycle of negative emotions, we can cry out to God. And just like God listened to David’s cry in Psalm 6, he promises to listen to everyone who cries out to him. He is merciful and forgiving and he has our best interests at heart. Our agony is a sign that we realize our need for help and life from beyond ourselves, and if we reach out, God is willing to give us just that.
Cry out to God for forgiveness or help.
Grace Aukerman is a recent Kingswood University graduate who is passionate about coffee and about sharing God’s truth through the written word.
© 2023 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
