A Sign of Relief

Psalm 31

He feels like a hunted animal, but for one thing: He has a retreat position that gives him a position of strength (verses 2-3), a refuge in the Lord. When he commends his spirit to the Lord, it is not a sign of resignation, but a sigh of relief, that whatever his battle, he is not on his own. Verse 5 is precious to many Christians because of the same words our Lord uttered on the cross. Even more are these words then not a sign of defeat, but of victory in the midst of circumstances that normally would be seen as defeat.

His prayer goes on (verses 9-13) to have the effect of alleviating the loneliness of his affliction (what can we not handle as long we know we are not alone?), and to see his situation more from God’s perspective (verses 14-24). That means his loneliness is turned to greater fellowship with God and his fellow worshippers, since he has had the freedom to give outward expression to his inner turmoil.

Prayer:
God, I let out now a long, slow breath that carries with it my burdens of the moment. With them I release to you whatever I call mine, including my very life, so that you can make it yours. Through Christ. Amen.