Monday Morning Meditation: The God of Restoration (Psalm 71 Series)

We are (finally!) continuing the series on Psalm 71. I encourage you to read the whole psalm here.

Verses 19-20:

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.
You have done such wonderful things.
Who can compare with you, O God?
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,
but you will restore me to life again
and lift me up from the depths of the earth.

I am starting this post 5 days before I will run my first marathon.

Running does not come naturally to me; it never has. It has always been hard work. I've never had that "light" or "fresh" feeling that runners talk about.

I initially just ran for the quick exercise, to maintain a large weight loss.  I didn't have access to a gym. I kept running because it's good for clearing my headspace.

I met some crazy runners in mid-2011. By that point, I had run a half marathon, so I distinguished "crazy runners" as people who ran more than 13.1 miles at a time. They asked me, Why don't you consider a marathon?

I figured I'd pray about it.  

2 months later, God spoke. How about running for a cause?

By the time you read this, I will have (Lord-willing) ran 26.2 miles to trample on child sex trafficking.

It will not be easy or quick or painless.  But I will do it, for the kids.

Kids like Madel.

Who can compare to You, God? the psalmist wonders.

No one.

Not a single one.

Even when He allows us to suffer hardship, He restores us to life.  Even these young kids whose families often sell them into prostitution - God has something amazing for them.

Whatever depths you are in, there is a God who longs to rescue you.  Call on Him today.

If you'd like to give toward the cause for which I am willing to attempt a marathon, you can learn more here.