Today you should read: Psalm 130
When I was in college, there was a time when I remember being unable to sleep and crying out to the Lord. My soul was so troubled. I had sinned against a close friend through an unkept promise. At the time, I didn’t think it was a big deal. But then he shared with me how hurt he was.
I was crushed.
I knew in my heart that, not only did I sin against him, I sinned against the Lord. My heart was so bothered. I couldn’t fall asleep. I spent the night ask the Lord for forgiveness and guidance.
Have you been there before? Maybe it was something between you and God. Or maybe it was a situation like mine when you let a friend or family member down. Regardless, if you’ve been there, this resonates with you.
Today’s psalm of ascent reminded me of that situation, especially in the first 2 verses:
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! (Psalm 130:1-2 ESV)
Even though I knew God was there and that He was more than willing to forgive, my heart still cried out to Him. I knew that I needed Him. I felt desperate. My guilt overwhelmed me. This is where the next few verses echoed my heart:
If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. (Psalm 130:3-4 ESV)
I often revisit this psalm and others when I feel spiritually frustrated. As Donald Whitney says, “There is a “psalm for every sigh of the heart.” The means, I know that when I open these scripture songs, they often say what my heart feels. God is so good. His Word is a clear portrayal of His goodness to us.
Church: what passages or verses minister to you when you’re in spiritual distress? This is definitely one for me.
By: Todd Thomas — Worship & College Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 
Proverbs 30:2 – some of the most comforting words from a very wise man approaching God for a request for more wisdom. The goal of that verse is humility, and the words he use show that apart from God there is no true wisdom. When you pray to the Lord are you willing to let your first words be, “Surely, I am too stupid…”…and then having spent some time there, move to the goodness of God’s character! Oh, yippee!
Zephaniah 3:17 has always ministered to my heart reminding me that God fights for me like a warrior yet loves me like a father, literally singing over me.
Jeremiah 29:11…. especially right now. It reminds me to trust in God’s plan for my life. He brings hope and success to our lives. I think that is a beautiful promise!