The Day When I Called

"On the day I called, 

you answered me, 

you increased my strength of soul."

(Psalm 138)

Elaine's mother, at age 97, was living through her last days suffering terribly with spinal multiple myeloma. She wanted to die at home, so a hospital bed was rented and home health services were called in. On the day the ambulance brought her home, she insisted on walking into the house, not carried on a stretcher. She must have been in excruciating pain.

The psalms call this "a day of trouble"(Psalm 20:1) Someone is going through a really tough time.

The term “day of trouble” is vague on purpose. It can mean times of physical illness, spiritual struggle, financial peril, or military threat.

This crisis is also known as a “day when I call.” Times of crisis are also times of prayer when a suffering person or people “cry out” to the Lord.

In this psalm, the poet has, by the grace of God, been brought through the "day of trouble". 

When referring to the "strength of the soul" the poet is most likely referring to a physically recovery. It is more like " “I once was weak, but now I’m strong.” 

The psalm ends, "the steadfast love of the Lord endure forever." 

In other words, not only has the Lord brought the poet through "day of trouble", so also will the Lord bring others through what ever crisis is before them.

Whatever our "day of trouble", the unwavering love of God will see us through.