Maybe Rachael or Jake could put this in the right place........I (peg) just had to share this with all of you. Rich is very depressed and nearly giving up....he asked me to read the 88th Psalm. Here it what is says......and please pray.
Psalm 88 (New International Version)Psalm 88A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to mahalath leannoth. A maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. 1[a] [b] O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you. 2 May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. 3 For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave. [c] 4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength. 5 I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care. 6 You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. 7 Your wrath lies heavily upon me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. Selah 8 You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape; 9 my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you. 10 Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you? Selah 11 Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction [d] ? 12 Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion? 13 But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you. 14 Why, O LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me? 15 From my youth I have been afflicted and close to death; I have suffered your terrors and am in despair. 16 Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me. 17 All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me. 18 You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend.Footnotes:Psalm 88:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term Psalm 88:1 Title: Possibly a tune, "The Suffering of Affliction" Psalm 88:3 Hebrew Sheol Psalm 88:11 Hebrew Abaddon
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Two weeks ago in prayer meeting we studied the 88th psalm. I shared with our group that the providential reading was exactly what my brother was experiencing. In fact, I had written to you concerning this lament, and then didn't send it. This morning I feel compelled to share "the rest of the story" as I had written. If you continue reading into Psalm 89, we truly believe that these words will again be your heart's cry: "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 62 says: My soul, waits silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory. The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your hear before Him; GOD IS A REFUGE FOR US."
ReplyDeleteDear Rich and Peg, Your experiences in the past two weeks have been unimaginable. Your depth of sorrows is described in Psalm 42:7 "DEEP CALLS UNTO DEEP at the noise of Your waterfalls. All your waves and billows have gone over me." In the depth of tribulation our pain seems purposeless, but God promises that there is purpose in the pain and in the deep grief of our soul. In the few, our Heavenly Father allows the waves and billows to almost drown his chosen ones. In verse 11, we have a glimpse of God's providence: Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I SHALL YET PRAISE HIM, the help of my countenance and my God. You who are chosen,
ReplyDeletewhom God allows the experience of 'deep calling unto deep, are given a rare intimacy with the Almighty - the very Creator of the oceans, and a vision which becomes even more Eternal. In Isaiah 45:3, God again reveals a promise of hope in the midst of your pain. "I will give you the 'TREASURE OF DARKNESS and HIDDEN RICHES of secret places....." Dear Rich and Peg, we are claiming this verse for you. We are praying that you'll sense God's closeness - HIS tangible presence,and HIS purpose and therefore hope at this time. "Do not remember the former thing, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I WILL EVEN MAKE A ROAD IN THE WILDERNESS AND RIVERS IN THE DESERT "of Oregon'.Isaiah 43:18-19 We're holding the ropes more tightly than ever! Love, your Michigan Family
This is for Rich "THE CHAMP":
ReplyDeleteExodus 14:14
"THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU. YOU NEED ONLY TO BE STILL........"
keeping you all in our continued thoughts and prayers...
ReplyDeletemuch love,
laura & steve
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ReplyDeletehey something happened to my computer, a crash!!!...ok...want to tell you!...oh Rich, blesssings, grace and peace to you, and we are holding you here, tight and strong!
ReplyDeleteRich and Peg,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that you all have to go through all of this! I am praying for all of you all the time. Rich, I can't even begin to imagine and understand what you are going through, but know that we care and that you are so important to us. You are our light, like you said a few days ago. To me you are an amazing example of a light shining in the darkness of your illness. And God promised that he will hold you in the palm of his hand and he is. He does know and understand what you are going through, even though it doesn't seem like it right now. Keep your eyes on Him.
Love you lots,
Vicki and Family
Hi Guys,
ReplyDeleteI love the little Psalm (85:10) "Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other"...I'd like to think that our love and your faithfulness meet in the middle and give kisses back and forth.
The selfish part of me only wants to hear good news from you. But the path you two have been given is not one that too many people could travel together. I'm in awe of the love you have for each other.
I'm praying that God will show Himself in Hope and Possibilities, with a beautiful bright light shining down on you both bringing relief from anguish.
Please keep knowing you are both loved and loved and loved. Our words are our attempt to meet you with kisses and hugs and hope.