Prayer requests

One of my favorite "joy" verses is not one that reminds me to be cheerful. It doesn't make me think of another believer who has no clue what I'm going through, chirping encouragement to me.
It doesn't say WHEN to be joyful.
Or anything like that.
Nope.
It's more of a "yeah, I've been there. Done that. Definitely can find the tee-shirt in my closet."

When anxiety was great within me,    your consolation brought me joy. (Psalm 94:19)

See what I mean?
It's a verse based on experience.
Based on life situations and obstacles.
Based on Reality with a capital "R."

We wouldn't be human if we had not experienced anxiety. It's part of life. It's a state of uneasiness. Tension. Apprehension. Sometimes to the extreme.
Anxiety is based on fear.
Fear of the unknown or fear of what we know.
It can also be based on health matters - both physical and mental.
And there are times when anxiety can absolutely overwhelm us. We can swear that we feel our knees knocking. It's probably just the beating of our hearts, but no matter - we are anxious.

Strengthen the feeble hands,    steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,    “Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,    he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution    he will come to save you.” (Isaiah 35:3-4)

He will come with vengeance if needed.
He will come to save us. He promised.
The psalmist said He will console us. . . . console? Comfort. Support. Bring relief.
I like Matthew Henry's commentary on the passage:

The psalmist had many troubled thoughts concerning the case he was in, concerning the course he should take, and what was likely to be the end of it. The indulgence of such contrivances and fears, adds to care and distrust, and renders our views more gloomy and confused. Good men sometimes have perplexed and distressed thoughts concerning God. But let them look to the great and precious promises of the gospel. The world's comforts give little delight to the soul, when hurried with melancholy thoughts; but God's comforts bring that peace and pleasure which the smiles of the world cannot give, and which the frowns of the world cannot take away. God is his people's Refuge, to whom they may flee, in whom they are safe, and may be secure. 

Relief.
That feeling when we know, really truly know that He will be with us, comfort us, and support us.
Yes, His consolation has brought me joy!
Thank you Lord!

If you have a prayer request this week, please leave a comment so that we can pray along with you.