From my Bible reading today:
14The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
15My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
16Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
17The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.
18Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.
Two things really struck me in this section of this psalm.
1st, in vs. 15 it says that the speakers eyes are always on the LORD, even when he is already trapped in a bad place. I thought that was cool because it is so easy for me to get caught up and focused on the problems I have in my life, many of which are my own fault. But it is only by focusing on God, and following his direction, that really takes me out of those bad places, and gets me through.
Similarly, in vs. 18, the author says he is focusing on his afflictions and distress, and then in what seems at first a little disjointed he follows up with “take away my sins.” I find that often when I’m pissed off, upset, or stressed, whether it be from uncontrollable external things or internal issues, I’m best situated to deal with what is coming my way when I have an understanding and a feeling of forgiveness from God. Most of the time I think it is the broken sinfulness of the world in general that causes pain, whether that be my fault or others. Experiencing relief for my part in that often makes it easier to handle others part in it. And again, seeking God, to experience him, know him, and hear his voice is just probably the biggest part of making it through some of my days.