Running on empty

Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” (Psalm 116:4) 

Running on empty is not a good place to be. If you’ve ever run your car right down to empty, it makes for an anxious journey - a journey where you’ve perhaps ignored the warning signs, or you’ve been prevented from responding, and eventually you’ve come to a complete stop. Not only will it prevent you from getting to where you were going; you could end up stranded in the middle of nowhere or with a permanently damaged car.
 
Even if you haven’t literally been in that situation, I think we can all relate to how it feels to run on empty - maybe through prolonged illness, grief, a challenging work situation or a difficult relationship issue. Often, it’s a combination of circumstances and you feel the relentless drain with little left to give.
 
As Christians, in desperate times we can cry out to God “Lord Save Me!” and the perfect place to help us express our desperation is the book of Psalms. It’s full of prayers and songs we can borrow to bring all our feelings and frustrations to God and these words give us permission to go there - however moany and complaining they are!
 
We can rest assured that God hears and understands us. Even when it feels like it, he never abandons us. His certain rescue plan for each one of us will unfold. As you read through the Psalms, profound cries for help turn into hope. As the often-desperate problems are expressed to God, self-pity begins to disperse, and thankfulness takes over. As we begin to take our eyes off the problems and worship God, our empty tanks are refilled once again.
 
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the problems of life, let the Psalmists take your weary soul on a journey to find God’s love, rest and rejuvenation.
 
Psalm 116
 
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me;
    I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!”
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears,
    my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
 I trusted in the Lord when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”;
 in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.”
 What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?
 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
 I will fulfil my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.
 Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did;
    you have freed me from my chains.
 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.
 I will fulfil my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people,
 in the courts of the house of the Lord - in your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord.