A Word from Psalm 102

Have you ever mourned over a place? Maybe you lived in a community where a major storm did significant damage, like we've experienced recently. Or maybe you've watched the news, and you've seen footage of cities that have been destroyed by earthquakes, and fires, and  military conflicts. But have you stopped to consider how God feels about those places?

Today's word from Psalm 102 doesn't tell us much about its context. And yet, it seems to be a response to the destruction of Jerusalem, perhaps when the Israelites were taken into exile. And the prayer begins with a cry for help; "God, listen! Listen to my prayer...Don't turn your back on me just when I need you so desperately." (102:1-2) And then, after lamenting his personal situation, the psalmist says this:

Yet you, GOD, are sovereign still, 

     always and ever sovereign. 

You’ll get up from your throne and help Zion— 

     it’s time for compassionate help. 

Oh, how your servants love this city’s rubble 

     and weep with compassion over its dust! 

The godless nations will sit up and take notice —

     see your glory, worship your name— 

When GOD rebuilds Zion, 

     when he shows up in all his glory, 

When he attends to the prayer of the wretched. 

     He won’t dismiss their prayer. (102:12-17, The Message)

You see God's poet knows that the Lord cares about His Holy City, just as much as its people do! And I don't think it's a stretch to say that God cares about all cities and towns, because they all belong to Him. And when they're broken, His heart is broken. But here's hope: When God rebuilds--when He shows up in all His glory--the wretched will find new strength.

So today, let's pray for  places that  need  God's help. Because Lord knows, there are lots of them! And let's trust that God listens, and cares, and will "show up in all His glory," for the sake of His renown. Amen.