In Times of Distress-Psalm 31

A Reflection for Thursday, April 10 by Eileen Lundy

Lectionary reading for 04/10/2025: Psalm 31:9-16; Isaiah 53:10-12; Hebrews 2:1-9;

Selected passage for reflection: Psalm 31:9-16 

Read

Psalm 31:9-16 NIV

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;    my eyes grow weak with sorrow,  my soul and body with grief. 

My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.

 Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends— those who see me on the street flee from me.

I am forgotten as though I were dead;  I have become like broken pottery.

For I hear many whispering,  “Terror on every side! ”

They conspire against me  and plot to take my life.

 But I trust in you, Lord;  I say, “You are my God.”

My times are in your hands;  deliver me from the hands of my enemies,  from those who pursue me.

Let your face shine on your servant;  save me in your unfailing love

Reflect

The Psalmist cries out asking for mercy because he is in distress. He very vividly describes what this distress feels like physically and emotionally as his enemies pursue him seeking to kill him. He also, though, makes a choice to trust God in this place of distress. This is a  choice to trust the one who is in control, who holds our times in his hands. A choice to trust the one who knows our beginning and end. 

In his distress the Psalmist cries out for deliverance from his enemies and also entrusts himself to God. The Psalmist asks to be saved in God’s unfailing love. The Hebrew word translated as unfailing love in this passage is Hesed. Hesed refers to God’s covenantal love to His people. It is a word that is hard to describe because Hesed has a depth that goes beyond our English word love. Hesed, God’s love, is a steadfast, promise keeping, unchanging, never ending, trustworthy love that is merciful and full of lovingkindness. This is the love the Psalmist cries out for and the love we are invited to turn to during times of distress.

Today you may find yourself in a place of distress, experiencing a mixture of anxiety, fear, sorrow or pain. Perhaps like the Psalmist you feel pursued by an enemy. These enemies can take many different forms. You might have someone in your life who is seeking to harm or has harmed you physically or emotionally.  Perhaps someone has betrayed, slandered or taken advantage of you. Or the enemy might be someone who holds different views, beliefs or values than you. 

Your enemy, though, might also be difficult or painful circumstances. Circumstances that may be out of your control. This enemy may be something that has been present for a long time or something that has just happened. I recently received a medical diagnosis for which there are treatments that will slow the disease process, but it has no cure. It is an enemy I will fight, a battle I will not win but will end in a deliverance into glory. I find guidance in the psalmist’s words “but I trust in you O Lord, my times are in your hands”. In these words there is an invitation to trust in the one who turns His face toward me, sees me and loves me with an unfailing, steadfast love. I invite you from your own place of distress to join me in looking to Jesus, the one who is the light shining into darkness and rest in His unfailing, never-ending steadfast love.

Respond 

Take a moment to consider a place of distress for you today.  Is there a difficult situation you are in? Is there something or someone you are worried about? A challenge you are facing? A fear you are battling? A loss you have experienced?

If the weather is warm today where you live and the sun is shining, go outside and sit in the sun. If possible find something sturdy or solid to sit on such as a large rock, retaining wall or cement steps. If it is too cold outside or the sun is not shining, sit inside on a sturdy chair near a lamp or light source.

As you sit in your chosen place, feel the firm sturdiness of what is supporting your body. Turn your face toward the light and feel the warmth or brightness of the light source. Imagine God’s face shining on you. From this place pray the Psalmist’s words “I trust in you O Lord, my times are your hands” and then rest in God’s steadfast love for you.

Rest 

Beloved of God, I pray that today in your distress you would experientially know the steadfast, unchanging, never ending love of God that surpasses understanding. May you turn your eyes upon Jesus and be filled by the Holy Spirit with a peace that passes understanding. Amen.

About the Author 

Eileen Lundy lives in Omaha, Nebraska. She is a bi-vocational pastor, a spiritual director and a recently retired nurse. Eileen is married to Steve, her best friend, and they have 3 adult children. She loves a good story in any form, written, film or spoken.