How can we experience the life-altering freedom of God’s grace? By humbling ourselves before a Mighty God in the midst of our tribulations and rendering praise to Him.
I shall come into Your house with burnt offerings;
I shall pay You my vows,
Which my lips uttered
And my mouth spoke when I was in distress. Psalm 66:13-14 (NASB)
O Lord, open my lips,
That my mouth may declare Your praise.
For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:15-17 (NASB)
“While I was fainting away,
I remembered the Lord,
And my prayer came to You,
Into Your holy temple.
“Those who regard vain idols
Forsake their faithfulness,
But I will sacrifice to You
With the voice of thanksgiving.
That which I have vowed I will pay.
Salvation is from the Lord.” Jonah 2:7-9 (NASB)
Help Lord, come quickly.
I am in distress—my soul endures much torment.
Oppressive is my burden, its weight crushes me.
My friends dismiss my sorrow.
My family mocks my shame.
I can’t bear the pain.
Answer me, Lord, my heart wails before You.
Hurry! I need You.
You bless me with abundance.
You walk alongside in poverty.
Daily my mind knows of Your presence,
But looking around, all I see is emptiness.
Are You beside me in the pit?
Age upon age, time after time You prove Your dependable love.
You are faithful.
Biblical patriarchs and matriarchs wrestled with Your ways, yet received mercy and grace.
You are faithful.
Prophets of old foretold Your salvation.
You are faithful.
Modern-day missionaries exemplify Your strength.
You are faithful.
Your truth exists in nature; Your renown rises daily.
You are faithful.
Because of who You are, I offer penitence and pay my vows.
I present burnt offerings while making requests,
You are worthy of sacrifice and praise.
In my distress, I make a promise;
To give up the reality of my request, if only You will fulfill it.
In the blessing, I sacrifice.
I am only human.
But You, O Lord, didn’t wait for repentance.
You sacrificed Your life for the unworthy.
You demonstrated an offering of pure love.
My gift of a senseless sacrifice or petty penance,
As if working for You, is not what You want from me.
You desire my brokenness, my humility.
In complete surrender, I submit a contrite heart,
And You clean it up for me.
You receive my sacrifice of humility and praise.
You hear my prayer when I disregard wickedness.
Come quickly, Lord, and save me from my circumstances.
Will You make changes to my situation?
Maybe not, yet I come before Your throne and ask with boldness.
Even if nothing is different, my lips will continue to sing Your praises,
Because You are faithful.
I stand firm with Your hand upon me,
As the storm prevails against me and around.
To Your glory, Lord God, I live my life,
And I praise You because You hear my cry for help.
You are faithful.
Hannah (1 Samuel 1) and her barrenness filled my mind as I wrote this verse. She struggled with her barrenness until she released it to God. He heard her cries and eventually she delivered a son, offering Him to the Lord.
Life is full of troubles and heartaches. Tears fall as we cry out to God and wonder if He hears. KNOW THAT HE DOES! Whatever your situation, may your lips praise God as your offer Him your trials. Trust Him to handle your life with purposeful grace and believe all things work for the good of those whose God is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Life is full of troubles and heartaches. Tears fall as we cry out to God and wonder if He hears. KNOW THAT HE DOES! Whatever your situation, may your lips praise God as your offer Him your trials. Trust Him to handle your life with purposeful grace and believe all things work for the good of those whose God is the Lord Jesus Christ.