Welcome back! Today, we’re finishing our time in Psalm 102, a prayer of one afflicted, pouring out his complaint before the Lord. Please join us in reading Psalm 102, verses 18 through 28...

18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come, 

    so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord: 

19 that he looked down from his holy height; 

    from heaven the Lord looked at the earth, 

20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, 

    to set free those who were doomed to die, 

21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord, 

    and in Jerusalem his praise, 

22 when peoples gather together, 

    and kingdoms, to worship the Lord. 

23 He has broken my strength in midcourse; 

    he has shortened my days. 

24 “O my God,” I say, “take me not away in the midst of my days — 

you whose years endure throughout all generations!” 

25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, 

    and the heavens are the work of your hands. 

26 They will perish, but you will remain; 

    they will all wear out like a garment. 

You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, 

27     but you are the same, and your years have no end. 

28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure; 

    their offspring shall be established before you. 

It's clear the psalmist understands that as he cries out to God in his distress, God will answer Him. He comprehends that God is worthy of praise IN the distressful event, after the distressful event, and before the next distressful event because, as we know, trials and tribulations will continue until the day our Savior returns and establishes His Kingdom! We can trust in God fully that He will be there for us in the hard times and the good. Just rest in that knowledge today.

May we all live deeply into our calling this week as shepherds in the lives of those we influence and impact, and may we each remember the Immortal, Invisible, Incorruptible, Everlasting God that we serve — the Good, Great, and Chief Shepherd.