I cried to the LORD, “All of my companions have abandoned me.”

He replied, “My Precious Daughter, though everyone has forsaken you, I will receive you.[1] Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.[2] I am a friend who sticks closer than a brother.[3] Be convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from My love that is in Christ Jesus your Lord.”[4]

I wept saying, “LORD, I am afraid.”

He replied, “My Daughter, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.[5] Cast all your anxiety on Me because I care for you.[6] Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fear no evil, for I am with you; My rod and My staff, they will comfort you.[7] When you are afraid, trust in Me.[8] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”[9]  

I said to the LORD, “My heart is broken.”

He replied, “Dear Child, I am He who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.[10] I live forever and I am holy, I live in Heaven, in a holy place, but I will also live with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.[11] Do not forget, I am close to the brokenhearted and I save those who are crushed in spirit.[12] A broken and contrite heart, I will not despise.[13] For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.[14] At the end of time, I will wipe every tear from your eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will pass away.”[15]

I said to the LORD, “I feel lost.”

He replied, “I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy.[16] I am the way and the truth and the life.[17] I came to seek and to save what was lost.[18] I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.[19] Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear My voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”[20]

I said to the LORD, “I am weary.”

He replied, “Daughter, do you not know? Have you not heard? I am the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. I will not grow tired or weary, and My understanding no one can fathom. I will strengthen the weary and increase the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but hope in Me and I will renew your strength. You will soar on wings like eagles; and you will run and not grow weary, you will walk and not be faint.[21] Come to Me, My Daughter, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”[22]

I said to the LORD, “If everyone has left me, does that mean I have no value?”

He replied, “My Daughter, can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.[23] I love you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.[24] So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.[25] I was despised and rejected by men, I am a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their face. I understand your pain.[26]

My Child, I have searched you and I know you. I know when you sit and when you rise; I perceive your thoughts from afar. I discern your going out and your lying down; I am familiar with all of your ways. Before a word is on your tongue I know it completely, my dear Child. I hem you in–behind and before; I have laid My hand upon you.[27]

I created your inmost being; I knit you together in your mother’s womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made; My works are wonderful, you know that full well. Your frame was not hidden from me when I made you in the secret place. When you were woven together in the depths of the earth, My eyes saw your unformed body. All the days ordained for you were written in my book before one of them came to be.”[28]

I said to the LORD, “I am lonely. If others have left me, won’t You leave too?”

He replied, “My Child, I am a Father to the fatherless, a Defender of widows, I am God in My holy dwelling. I set the lonely in families, I lead forth prisoners with singing;[29] I will go before you and will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.[30] Where can you go from My Spirit? Where can you flee from My presence? If you go up to the heavens, I am there; if you make your bed in the depths, I am there. If you rise on the wings of the dawn, if you settle on the far side of the sea, even there My hand will guide you, My right hand will hold you fast.”[31]

I said to the LORD, “I am worried that I will not have the strength to walk alone while I live upon this earth.”

He replied, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.[32] Cast your cares on Me and I will sustain you; I will never let the righteous fall.[33] My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore boast all the more gladly about your weaknesses, so that My power may rest on you. For My sake, delight in your weaknesses, in the insults of others, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when you are weak, then you are strong.[34] You can do everything through My Son who gives you strength.[35] I am near to all who call on Me, to all who call on Me in truth. I fulfill the desires of those who fear Me; I hear their cry and save them.”[36]

I said to the LORD, “If no one else loves me, how can You?”

He replied, “My Dear One, as the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.[37] You know that in all things I work for the good of those who love Me, who have been called according to My purpose.[38] I love you with an everlasting love; I am drawing you with loving-kindness.[39] How precious are My thoughts, my Child! How vast is the sum of them! Were you to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When you awake, you are still with Me.[40] I am righteous in all My ways and loving toward all I have made.[41] I am gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.[42] I am the Rock, My works are perfect, and all My ways are just. I am faithful who does no wrong, I am upright and just.”[43]

I asked the LORD, “Where do I go from here?”

He replied, “Trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Me, and I will make your paths straight.[44] Come near to Me and I will come near to you.[45] I will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is unwavering, because he trusts in Me. Trust in Me forever, for I am, I am, the Rock eternal.[46] As for Me, My way is perfect; My word is flawless. I am a shield for all who take refuge in Me.”[47]

I said to the LORD, “What if I wander away from Your path?”

He replied, “Daughter, how can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to My word. Seek Me with all your heart; I will not let you stray from My commands.[48] My word is a lamp to your feet and a light for your path.[49] I will keep you from all harm–I will watch over your life; I will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.[50] Trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Me, and I will make your paths straight.[51] My Child, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.[52]

My Child, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to My words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”[53]

I said to the LORD, “I still feel afraid to walk alone, but I will put my trust in You. I will put my focus on You and all that You have promised. I love you, my LORD, my God.”

“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.[54] I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.[55] Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.[56] For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts![57] Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.[58] My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.[59] Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.[60] I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.[61] Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.[62] How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.[63] The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.[64]

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References

[1] Psalm 27:10

[2] Isaiah 46:4

[3] Proverbs 18:24b

[4] Romans 8:38-39

[5] Isaiah 41:10

[6] 1 Peter 5:7

[7] Psalm 23:4

[8] Psalm 56:3

[9] Joshua 1:9

[10] Psalm 147:3

[11] Isaiah 57:15

[12] Psalm 34:18

[13] Psalm 51:17

[14] Jeremiah 29:11

[15] Revelation 21:4

[16] Ezekiel 34:16a

[17] John 14:6a

[18] Luke 19:10

[19] Isaiah 48:17

[20] Isaiah 30:21

[21] Isaiah 40:28c-31

[22] Matthew 11:28-30

[23] Isaiah 49:15-16a

[24] Jeremiah 31:3

[25] Matthew 10:31

[26] Isaiah 53:3

[27] Psalm 139:1-5

[28] Psalm 139:13-16

[29] Psalm 68:5-6a

[30] Deuteronomy 31:8

[31] Psalm 139:7-10

[32] John 14:27

[33] Psalm 55:22

[34] 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

[35] Philippians 4:13

[36] Psalm 145:17c-19

[37] John 15:9

[38] Romans 8:28

[39] Jeremiah 31:3

[40] Psalm 139:17-18

[41] Psalm 145:17

[42] Psalm 145:8

[43] Deuteronomy 32:4

[44] Proverbs 3:5-6

[45] James 4:8a

[46] Isaiah 26:3-4

[47] Psalm 18:30

[48] Psalm 119:9-10

[49] Psalm 119:105

[50] Psalm 121:7-8

[51] Proverbs 3:5-6

[52] Proverbs 3:1-3

[53] Proverbs 4:20-23

[54] Psalm 119:50

[55] Psalm 119:162

[56] Psalm 119:141

[57] Psalm 92:4-5

[58] Psalm 119:18

[59] Psalm 119:20

[60] Psalm 119:27

[61] Psalm 119:32

[62] Psalm 119:33-34

[63] Psalm 119:103

[64] Psalm 119:130