Be kind to me, God—
    I’m in deep, deep trouble again.
I’ve cried my eyes out;
    I feel hollow inside.
My life leaks away, groan by groan;
    my years fade out in sighs.
My troubles have worn me out,
    turned my bones to powder.
(Psalm 31:9-10, MSG)

The only requirement to receive God’s help is that we are in trouble. God does not make background checks or give us the third degree. God just comes to us with loving-kindness. We all need forgiveness because we’ve turned our backs to him. We do it by getting busy or concentrating on our problems instead of centering our thoughts on him. God knows this. He is patiently waiting for us to return to him.

Desperate, I throw myself on you:
    you are my God!
Hour by hour I place my days in your hand,
    safe from the hands out to get me.
Warm me, your servant, with a smile;
    save me because you love me.
Don’t embarrass me by not showing up;
    I’ve given you plenty of notice.
(Psalm 31:14-17, MSG)

When we throw ourselves on God, we realize God is with us even when we don’t feel it. God is more real than anything and everything else in our leaking lives. Even when God is silent and we need to wait.

What a stack of blessing you have piled up
    for those who worship you,
Ready and waiting for all who run to you
    to escape an unkind world.
(Psalm 31:19; MSG)

God won’t waste anything. He will use all of our experiences to shape us to be more like him. We will understand God’s planning and timing once we’ve gone through the hard times. Now we can rest in this: God’s will is the best place for us. That’s why we can safely place our lives hour by hour in his hands.

Love God, all you saints;
    God takes care of all who stay close to him,
But he pays back in full
    those arrogant enough to go it alone.
Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up.
    Expect God to get here soon.
(Psalm 31:23-24, MSG)