July 28

But my eyes are fixed on You, O GOD the Lord. In You I seek refuge; do not leave my soul defenseless. — Ps 141:8 BSB

The very act of crying out to God is a pledge that he will not leave the soul destitute. It may seem strange to us, but it is light that reveals our darkness, life that makes us feel our deadness, fruitfulness that makes us aware of our barrenness, and riches that make us feel our poverty. It is God’s teaching and presence that make us feel our destitution. This very mourning over our lack of fruit, this feeling of our inability to do good, is proof of the life of God in the soul and evidence of the work of grace in the heart.

“Leave not my soul destitute.” This cry is genuine and comes from the heart. These are the footsteps of the flock, the leadings and teachings of the Spirit in the hearts of the redeemed. Such experiences are saving and will lead the soul to eternal glory. Anyone who knows these things by personal experience will one day see the glory of the Lord face to face.

Do we know these things? Can we lay our experience beside the experience of the Psalmist and say, “My eyes are upon you, O God the Lord; in you I trust; leave not my soul destitute”? Wherever this prayer is found, there will be an answer, and wherever that answer is found, there will be reason for everlasting praise. Blessed are the souls who know these things from genuine heartfelt experience. They will shine like stars forever and ever, and when the Lord of life and glory comes again without sin for salvation, they will appear with him in glory.