welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread my name is xochitl Dixon in today's reading Rescue Mission I'll be sure and how God he was a lost sheep to deepen my hope in him
 volunteers at a farm animal rescue organization in Australia found a Wandering sheep weigh down by more than 75 lb of filthy matted Rescuers suspected the sheep have been forgotten and lost in the bush for at least five years volunteers soothe him do the uncomfortable process of tearing away his heavy fleece once freed from his burden for rock ate his legs grew stronger he became more confident and content and he spent time with his Rescuers and the other animals at the sanctuary
 the Samus David understood the pain of being weighed down with heavy burden feeling forgotten and lost and desperate for a rescue mission and some 38 David cried out to God he had experienced isolation betrayal and helplessness still he prayed with confidence Lord I wait for you you will answer Lord my God David didn't deny his predicament or minimize his inner turmoil and physical ailments instead he trusted that God would be near and answer him at the right time and in the right way
 when we feel weighed down by physical mental or emotional burdens God remains committed to the rescue mission he plans from the day he created us we can count on his presence when like the psalmist we cry out to him come quickly to help me my Lord and my savior
 today's our daily bread devotional scripture reading is from Psalm 38 verses 11 to 22
 my friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds my neighbor stay far away those who want to kill me set their traps those who would harm me talk of my ruin all day long they scheme and lie I am like the deaf who cannot hear like commute who cannot speak I have become like one who does not here whose mouth can offer no reply Lord I wait for you you you will answer Lord my God for I said do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip
 I am about to fall and my pain is ever with me I confess my iniquity I am troubled by my sin many have become my enemies without cause those who hate me without reason are numerous those who repay my good with evil lot accusations against me
 do I seek only to do what is good Lord do not forsake me do not be far from me my God come quickly to help me my Lord and my savior
let's pray gracious God help us to encourage others who feel weighed down lost or forgotten just like you have encouraged us when we felt the same way in Jesus name we pray amen
 today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries