God Cares for the Downcast
Backgrounder on Psalms 98-103:
In Psalm 103, the psalmist urges
you to count your blessings. And
Psalm 98-102 provide plenty of
ideas to help you do just that by
focusing on the many things for
which you should be thankful:
your salvation (Ps 98), answered
prayer (Ps 99), God’s mercy and
truth (Ps 100), God’s justice and
holiness (Ps 101) and God’s Care
when you are downcast (Ps 102).
Lord, You Care for the Afflicted:
Hear my prayer; O Lord,
let my cry for help come to You.
Do not hide Your face from me
when I am in distress.
Turn Your ear to me; when I call,
answer me quickly (Ps 102:1-2).
You will arise and have compassion
in Zion, for it is time to show favour
to her; the appointed time has come.
He will respond to the prayer
of the destitute; He will not
despise their plea (v13-17).
You laid the foundation of the
earth… Even they will perish
but You remain forever.
You are Always The Same.
The children of your people
will Live In Security (v25-28).
Lord, we worship You for being
greater than anything we face.
We thank You for being merciful
and compassionate; and that You
hear our prayers and answer them.
  We thank You that You inhabit our
praise, and that in Your presence
our circumstances are changed.
And we are grateful that praising
You renew and transform us. Amen.
Lord, You hear the prayers of those
in need & will not despise their plea.
You have also said in Your word
that blessed are the poor in spirit
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Thank You for knowing my need
and all about my current situation.
Show me if I’m being disciplined or
if this is just an opportunity to trust
You and grow in faith in You. Amen.
Lord, You are Unchanging and
we praise Your faithfulness.
Thank You for the reminder
that though our circumstances
may change and that the things
around us may even pass away,
You remain the Same forever.
Help me Lord find my Security
in Your eternal sameness.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.