October 4 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Psalm 38:6–10

Devotional

Prayers offered at set times reserved for prayer can often be motivated by our mind instead of our heart. Petitions laid before God’s throne can be formulated very well, but the real meaning does not always weigh so strongly on the heart. There can often be such a great difference between the words that are spoken and the meaning of these words. A child of God is also unable to let the words weigh heavily on his own heart. He is not always able to pray as fervently as he should. Yet it is a good custom that at certain fixed times of prayer we seek the Lord, even though the urgency to pray is not always felt so strongly. There is not a better custom in the whole world. God’s Spirit is also willing and able to give support in this matter.

But here in our text we read about groaning. Groaning is also a form of praying. It is praying without using words. In groaning, the need is so great that the one who prays cannot find the right words to give vent to his soul. In this groaning there is no danger that we would just use empty words, for there are no words. For indeed, words are not able to convey what lives in the heart. Words fall short. The mind cannot put into words what the heart is experiencing.

To groan refers to the cryings of the soul. Groaning comes forth from the bottom of the heart, where people are unable to express what they feel. To groan means that man is finished speaking before God. To groan means that the needs are deeper than many words can express. Groaning has no set times of prayer. Neither does it have a certain posture of prayer. Groaning continues without folding the hands and without bending the knees. Groaning is something you take along with you, wherever you go or whatever you are doing, because it is a matter of the heart and your heart is something you take along with you, wherever you go.

In prayers that are articulated, many things are often said. But also much is kept silent. Neither is it edifying to publicize in prayer a certain hidden personal necessity. That can be too personal and too sensitive to be shared with others. In this groaning a person is alone before God. When the psalmist says that his groaning is not hid before God, there is no third party present. In this groaning there are only two involved.

In this groaning the inner chamber of the heart is opened. Everything is said to the Lord that cannot be said to the human ear. Here a lonely one may cast his burden upon the Lord. Here it is experienced not to be able to find words and yet to know that the Lord knows all our needs. That already gives comfort. He knows the way I must go. He understands my groanings. He is my refuge. My prayers are known unto God but also my groanings are not hid from Him.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.