Blessings always outweigh and outnumber struggles, at least for those who know God and are known by Him. But both are part of the packet issued when we are brought into God's family.
The Psalms are a source of great comfort for us-wisdom from God, life examples from those who have also been issued the same packet.
Most Psalms, I've heard it said, begin with a cry to God for help and end with a shout of Joy as He delivers His people.
Most.
But Life is not all rescues and victories on this side of Eternity, sometimes there is no triumphant shout of Joy.
Which is why Psalm 88 sticks with me.
1 O Lord, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You.
2 Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry!
3 For my soul has had enough troubles, And my life has drawn near to Sheol.
4 I am reckoned among those who go down to the pit; I have become like a man without strength,
5 Forsaken among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And they are cut off from Your hand.
6 You have put me in the lowest pit, In dark places, in the depths.
7 Your wrath has rested upon me, And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah.
8 You have removed my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an object of loathing to them; I am shut up and cannot go out.
9 My eye has wasted away because of affliction; I have called upon You every day, O LORD; I have spread out my hands to You.
10 Will You perform wonders for the dead? Will the departed spirits rise and praise You? Selah.
11 Will Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon?
12 Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13 But I, O LORD, have cried out to You for help, And in the morning my prayer comes before You.
14 O LORD, why do You reject my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me?
15 I was afflicted and about to die from my youth on; I suffer Your terrors; I am overcome.
16 Your burning anger has passed over me; Your terrors have destroyed me.
17 They have surrounded me like water all day long; They have encompassed me altogether.
18 You have removed lover and friend far from me; My acquaintances are in darkness.
2 comments:
I love this psalm. It seems to cut off right before the shout of Joy, so those who do not have victory on this side, who do not have their cancer cured, who do not live free from the pains of growing old and weak and feeble...we have a psalm with which we can identify, too.
I should fess up, if you are wondering about the picture.
"Blackadder Goes Fourth" final episode called 'Goodbyeee'.
Read the Psalm again.
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