A DARK NIGHT

For Thy mercy is great above the heavens: and Thy truth reacheth unto the clouds

Psalms 108:4

Last night I tossed and turned and I writhed in pain. I hardly slept. This morning, too, the pain was so intense that I had to stay back from church.

I almost never miss a Sunday service. But today I had to send word with a Christian who lives in my cell block to tell the chaplain that I wouldn’t be there. I know there are well qualified elders in my congregation who could easily fill in for me. I also sent instructions for the congregation to pray for a certain person and some urgent situations.

Yet even though I stayed behind because I can hardly walk, I had an awesome time of worship, prayer, and Scripture reading in my cell.

While my lower back feels like fire and a sharp, stabbing pain is repeatedly striking the area around my right hip, I am instead choosing to focus on the mercy and glory of God.

Today it feels as if the Lord of the universe has been my constant companion, and of course He always is. But He has made His presence known in a personal way. His grace is enough to get me through unrelenting and excruciating pain. And tomorrow He will do the same.

David Berkowitz

January 15, 2006