This encouraging verse penned by David in Psalm 31 has been a comfort to me more times than I can count. When the Lord brought it before me the other day during my devotional time with Him, He impressed upon me that I should take it to heart, and ponder its deeper meaning.

When David says to God, "You have seen my troubles," I think about good King Hezekiah, a descendant of David's. The Bible records that Hezekiah was at the point of death, and was told by God to put his house in order because he would not survive. Instead of resigning himself to his fate, Scripture says that he turns to the Lord in heartfelt prayer, and asks for mercy. God's response to the king is: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you." (2 Kings 20:5 NKJV) And the Lord graciously adds fifteen years to Hezekiah's life.

In Psalm 56, David tells God, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book." (Psalm 56:8 NLT) The Lord takes note of every hurt and heartache that comes our way, and there isn't a single tear that escapes His notice. He is aware of our every disappointment and distressing situation, and He will act on our behalf when we look to Him for mercy and help.

David's declaration, "You care about the anguish of my soul," reveals that he believed in God's compassion toward him. When we are in a trial, especially a prolonged one, voices of doubt may whisper that the Lord doesn't care. All we need to do is to turn to the Scriptures, and to meditate on passages that illustrate the extraordinary and indescribable compassion of God. Matthew 9:36 (AMP) says: "When [Jesus] saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd."

All through the Gospels, we see Jesus healing, comforting, and reaching out to hurting people, because of His deep compassion and love for them. It was His love and compassion - and the Father's - that sent Him to the Cross to die for our sins and our salvation. The next time you are tempted to think that the Lord doesn't care about your suffering or distress, meditate on Isaiah 63:9 (NLT), which says: "In all their suffering He also suffered, and He personally rescued them. In His love and mercy, He redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years."

David's words, "I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love," show that he had a keen awareness of God's eternal love. His faith in the Lord's love and goodness not only filled him with joy, but it gave him the confidence to pray for - and expect - the Lord's mercy and help, even when he was in the midst of "impossible" situations. In Psalm 62, David declares, "One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: 'Power belongs to You, God, and with You, Lord, is unfailing love.'" (Psalm 62:11-12 NIV)

No matter what your circumstances are right now, God has all the power and love needed to help you to overcome and emerge victorious. Dare to follow David's example, and trust the Lord for your deliverance and success today!

Prayer: Lord, when I am going through a time of trial, remind me that You see and are aware of my troubles. Help me to truly believe that You care about my hurts and heartaches, and that You love me with an everlasting love. Thank You that as I put my hope in Your compassion and goodness, You will move in mighty ways on my behalf!

- J. M. Farro