July 2

Morning

For our hearts rejoice in Him, since we trust in His holy name. — Ps 33:21 BSB

What a blessing it is that Christians can rejoice even in the deepest distress. Even when trouble surrounds them, they still sing, just like many birds sing best while in their cages. Though the waves of life may roll over them, their souls soon rise to the surface to see the light of God’s face. There’s something about their faith that keeps their heads above the water, allowing them to sing in the midst of the storm, “God is with me still.” To whom should we give the glory? Oh, to Jesus—it's all because of Him.

Trouble doesn’t automatically bring comfort to the believer, but the presence of the Son of God in the midst of the fiery trial fills the heart with joy. The believer may be sick and suffering, but Jesus comes to visit and makes his bed for him. He may be near death, feeling the cold waters of the Jordan rising around him, but Jesus embraces him, saying, “Don’t be afraid, beloved! To die is a blessing; the waters of death flow from heaven itself. They aren’t bitter—they’re as sweet as nectar, for they come from the throne of God.” As the dying saint passes through the river, with waves crashing around him and strength failing, that same voice whispers, “Don’t be afraid! I am with you! Don’t be discouraged! I am your God.” As he approaches the mysterious unknown and is fearful of entering the realm of shadows, Jesus reassures him, “Don’t be afraid—it’s your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Strengthened and comforted, the believer isn’t afraid to die. In fact, he longs to depart, for having seen Jesus as the morning star, he now desires to see Him as the full sun in all its glory. Truly, the presence of Jesus is all the heaven we need. He’s both the “glory of our brightest days and the comfort of our nights.”

Evening

Of David. To You, O LORD, I call; be not deaf to me, O my Rock. For if You remain silent, I will be like those descending to the Pit. — Ps 28:1 BSB

A cry is the natural expression of sorrow, and it’s the right thing to do when all other options fail us. But that cry must be directed to the Lord, for crying to people is like shouting into the wind. When we consider how willing the Lord is to listen and how able He is to help, it makes sense to direct all our pleas to Him, the God of our salvation. On the day of judgment, calling out to the rocks will be in vain, but our Rock hears every cry.

“Don’t be silent to me.” Religious formalists might be content without an answer to their prayers, but true believers aren’t. They aren’t satisfied with just the process of prayer—calming their minds or surrendering their wills—they want real responses from heaven, and they want them soon. They dread even a moment of God’s silence.

Though God’s voice can shake the wilderness, His silence can be just as overwhelming to a desperate heart. When He seems to close His ears, we must not close our mouths but cry out even more earnestly. When our voices grow hoarse with desperation and grief, He won’t delay in responding. How terrible it would be if the Lord were silent forever!

“If You’re silent to me, I’ll be like those who go down to the grave.” Without the God who answers prayer, we’d be worse off than the dead, quickly sinking to the same fate as the lost in hell. We must have answers to prayer—our situation is urgent and desperate. Surely the Lord will speak peace to our troubled hearts, for He will never abandon His chosen ones.