Psalm 42 (NRSV)

As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, "Where is your God?"

These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows have gone over me. By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

I say to God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?" As with a deadly wound in my body, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, "Where is your God?"

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.

My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.

-- Isaiah 55:8 (NRSV)

FOR the last few years I have been serving as a translator for The Upper Room. I have always enjoyed making time for this great ministry while also keeping up with other activities at home, at school, and at church. When an accident left me with both of my legs fractured and confined to my bed, I was worried about how I was going to maintain my service in this ministry as well as my other activities.

But the accident turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It provided me physical rest as well as spiritual enrichment. I could spend more time in my translation work, in reading the Bible, and in prayer. It also gave me an opportunity to spend time with my relatives, friends, colleagues, and students -- who visited me, called me, and prayed for me.

With this I realized that God's perspective is not always the same as mine. I thank and praise God for teaching me that what I see as a great problem can be a great opportunity spiritually.

Prayer: O Lord, help us to make time for you in the midst of our busy lives. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

God can bring good out of something bad.

PRAYER FOCUS:

Those recovering from injuries