Thursday, February 16, 2017

Bale and Boote
Psalm 38

My heart is about to break; I'm burned out,
the light has gone out of my eyes. 
My loved ones and my friends avoid me like the plague,
those who used to be close to me now run away (Psalms 38:11,12 The Message).

The more we need help, the less we attract it. Even our loved ones and friends "avoid (us) like the plague." That's because neediness is off-putting. Hardly anyone likes to be around a deeply troubled soul. Most people have enough trouble of their own. 

There is One, however, who's not put off by our neediness, who never cuts and runs. He understands our sorrow; He hears our sighs (38:9). 

And because He is Himself "a man of sorrows," He is able to sympathize with us and comfort us as no other can.

We should then, "draw near to Him with confidence that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).[1]

"When bale (need) is att hyest, boote (help) is nyest." So goes "The Ballad of Sir Aldingar." And so I pray with David, "Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!" (38:22).

David Roper
2.16.17

[1] It occurs to me that our friends and loved ones can't help us anyway. They can only point us to the One who is our help.

Going and Not Knowing

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