A Soul full of Troubles

 

Psalm 88

 

August 10, 2022

 

 

 

 The first three verses set the theme of the chapter, and I’m confident it’s the cry of many in the Church today.  “O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you.   Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!  For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.”

As you read this Psalm, we are looking at a man who has been rejected by his wife and friends; he feels shunned.  He never asks if am the problem?  He sees himself as above reproach and his blame is directed at the Holy One.  If you do not see this reread verse 18, “You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.”

You want to have one great pity party.  I believe this man who lived in the day of King Solomon can be a great example.  He could not grasp how God would allow his life to have misfortune.  How would you like living with this guy, he always saw the glass half-empty, everywhere he looked terrible things were happening to him, and he was feeling sorry for himself, not a fun person to live with, much less be around.

Does God love us, and if so, why is he quiet when our lives turn to misery?  A wise person who is a follower of Christ will acknowledge who God is, and that He has total authority.  It may be helpful to visit Hebrews 13:5-6, Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So, we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

If one does not understand that feelings are not the truth, but God is the truth, for Jesus has told us He is the Truth, you can find that in John 14:6.  Once we acknowledge this truth, we need to search our hearts and soul by doing as we are told in 2 Corinthians 13:5, by examining ourselves to see if we are living by faith in God’s promises.  A great prayer to pray for yourself; “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”  

 

If in the examination, you find sin in your life, be quick to run to the Father and confess.  For He has promised that if we confess with a broken heart, He will forgive, but He does not always remove the damage our sins have brought into our lives and others, You will find that promise in 1 John 1:9.

 

It is so important to understand that in the world we will have troubles, and to recall these words from Jesus in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  It is essential that one understand who they are in Christ, you will find that in 1 John 4:13, “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.”  

 

From the Back Porch, 

 

Bob Rice