“Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me.” -Psalm 66:20

As human beings, we know rejection. We know what it is to apply for a job and lose it to another candidate. We know what it is to fall in and out of love or to find our love rejected. We know what it is like to suffer violation of body or soul at the hands of those we thought were friends. We know what it is like to grow older and even our own minds and bodies fail us.

Despite all of that, we keep the faith. Deep down, we know that life comes with seasons, and people can be fickle – but not all people. We know we are subject to disease and decay, but most of us have known far more health than ill-health. We lift up our hands to God in prayer, and we may wonder if God listens; we may wonder if God hears; we may wonder if God knows; we may wonder if God will answer.

The psalmist says, “Blessed be God …” which really means, “I am thankful.” I thank God for not turning a deaf ear to my prayers or turning away from me in my time of need. I need not be anxious, because God’s love penetrates to the deepest levels of my soul – and heals.

Thank you, God, in this time of Lent, for calling me home to abide in your presence. You comfort me more than I can ever know, realize, or repay. Thank you for your Agape love. Amen.
-Keith Axberg