We are now in the second week of Lent. This week we are reflecting together on Psalm 102, a psalm that expresses the deep loneliness of when God or other people seem distant. As you read this psalm today, consider the loneliness you might feel in this season and how Jesus may want to meet you in it.
Psalm 102
Lord, hear my prayer!
Listen to my plea!
2Don't turn away from me
in my time of distress.
Bend down to listen,
and answer me quickly when I call to you.
3For my days disappear like smoke,
and my bones burn like red-hot coals.
4My heart is sick, withered like grass,
and I have lost my appetite.
5Because of my groaning,
I am reduced to skin and bones.
6I am like an owl in the desert,
like a little owl in a far-off wilderness.
7I lie awake,
lonely as a solitary bird on the roof.
8My enemies taunt me day after day.
They mock and curse me.
9I eat ashes for food.
My tears run down into my drink
10because of your anger and wrath.
For you have picked me up and thrown me out.
11My life passes as swiftly as the evening shadows.
I am withering away like grass.
12But you, O Lord, will sit on your throne forever.
Your fame will endure to every generation.
13You will arise and have mercy on Jerusalem—
and now is the time to pity her,
now is the time you promised to help.
14For your people love every stone in her walls
and cherish even the dust in her streets.
15Then the nations will tremble before the Lord.
The kings of the earth will tremble before his glory.
16For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem.
He will appear in his glory.
17He will listen to the prayers of the destitute.
He will not reject their pleas.
18Let this be recorded for future generations,
so that a people not yet born will praise the Lord.
19Tell them the Lord looked down
from his heavenly sanctuary.
He looked down to earth from heaven
20to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to release those condemned to die.
21And so the Lord's fame will be celebrated in Zion,
his praises in Jerusalem,
22when multitudes gather together
and kingdoms come to worship the Lord.
23He broke my strength in midlife,
cutting short my days.
24But I cried to him, "O my God, who lives forever,
don't take my life while I am so young!
25Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.
26They will perish, but you remain forever;
they will wear out like old clothing.
You will change them like a garment
and discard them.
27But you are always the same;
you will live forever.
28The children of your people
will live in security.
Their children's children
will thrive in your presence."
Reflection Questions
- Notice the ways that the psalmist feels abandoned by God and by others. How do you feel the absence of God or of others right now? Where in your life do you feel most sad, most alone?
- Notice also how the psalmist is confident that amidst his shifting feelings, God remains constant and will rebuild what feels most broken in his life. How has God been faithful to you in difficult times? What brokenness in your life needs to be mended by God?
Taking It Further This Week: Solitude
Sometimes we're tempted to think that the cure for our loneliness is to throw ourselves into doing more things – to keep ourselves busy and distracted from that feeling of emptiness. But this week's video encourages us to see the value of withdrawing from these distractions – which are often the very thing keeping us from experiencing God's peace – and to seek God in solitude.
Just like last week, take five minutes today to watch the video and choose a day this week when you will participate in this week's Lent challenge: setting aside an undistracted hour (or half hour) for silence and solitude with God.
Remember to download the Participant's Journal for The Lent Experience, which offers some helpful tips for your hour of silence and solitude and includes all of the Scripture passages and Lent challenges in one place.
Scripture for Further Reflection
Spend some time this week reading the passages below either before or during your hour of solitude, and then write out any thoughts, feelings, or prayers you have.
- Mark 1
- Mark 6:30-44 (pay attention to vv.31-32)
- Luke 6:12-16
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