Crying Out to God
Where do you find faith and hope when enemies are pressing in and times are feeling uncertain?
Psalm 56:1–2
O God, have mercy on me,
for the enemy persecutes me;
my assailants harass me all day long.
All day long my slanderers persecute me;
countless are those who assail me, Exalted One.
These first months of 2025 have brought a wave of uncertainty. Each day has us wondering 'what could possibly be next?' The relentless pace of executive orders being passed can literally make heads spin and leave folks feeling like the psalmist in chapter 56.
While many anticipated the harmful policies that would come under this administration, there's still a heaviness pressing down with each new assault on our collective human rights.
The psalmist here, pursued on every side, cries out to God for mercy. In other Psalms, we witness the writers asking God questions, demanding answers, and even expressing doubt. The all-too-relatable writing of this book of Scripture brings me peace and comfort. The humanity of the words brings me hope.
Crying out to God is a timeless practice. One that God welcomes.
This cry invites us to consider our own response when our enemies are pursuing us.
Where do you find faith and hope when enemies are pressing in and times are feeling uncertain? What spiritual practices help to sustain you?