In Our Suffering, Lord Be Near: A 5-Day DevotionalSample

I have explored every avenue.

I have walked through paths of darkness.

I have been a prisoner to myself,

an inmate shackled by the chains of my suffering.

I have been subdued by evil.

I have known the scent of the enemy.

Destruction has been a close companion of mine,

pain closer than a friend.

I have felt the degrading hands of abuse;

the onslaught of hurt has pierced my skin.

Yet, I have a God who loves me.

My Maker cares for me,

my Father knows me.

My God does not just see my pain,

He feels it and knows it.

My Redeemer does not ignore my suffering;

He delivers me according to His perfect understanding.

In my stubbornness,

I condemn what He has put me through.

In my bitterness,

I demand He answer me according to my terms.

All the while, I forget:

He is God, and I am not.

He does not diminish my pain,

nor does He abandon my reality.

Rather,

He gives me the means to press on,

a desire to pursue eternal truth—peace

that transcends circumstances,

wisdom that grows with hurt.

For what is knowledge,

if it has not been tested?

What is peace

if there has been no pain?

What is joy

if there has been no loss?

Empty

shallow

false.

I refuse to be deceived;

I will put my faith in You.

Amen.