In the last few months, we have experienced in our congregation a number of setbacks. Surgeries that were serious. Extended hospital stays. Cancer diagnoses. Layoffs. Trying to find a permanent job. Many of us, in one way or another, are experiencing pain.
Pain. How do we deal with it? Do we deny it? Do we become cynical? Do we become bitter? Do we become angry?
Look at Psalm 102 and consider how the psalmist handles his pain…
Strophe 1 (verses 1-5) – The plea for help. The author feels like he is coming to the end of his rope. There are five ways in verses 1-2 that the psalmist calls on God to listen to his prayer. “In combination, these varied modes of expression reveal the urgency of the need and the humility and reverence with which mortal man should approach the holy God” (Ash & Miller, 339).
Strophe 2 (verses 6-11) – The description of the distress. He feels like a “fish out of water.” He is lonely and can’t sleep. He eats ashes as he stresses over his condition and drinks his tears. He feels like God’s indignation and wrath is directed toward him. Reading verse 11, it seems that the psalmist not only can’t see the light at the end of his tunnel – he thinks he sees a tunnel at the end of his life.
Strophe 3 (verses 12-17) – God’s character. The source of our strength and encouragement will always be the nature of God. In these verses, the psalmist talks about God’s nature, His actions, His reasons, and His interest in Jerusalem. In verse 17, he recognizes that God listens to the prayers of the destitute.
Manage your anger you must remind yourself, your life-changing consequences for almost cheap viagra http://deeprootsmag.org/2015/05/15/a-tribute-to-b-b-king/ every day. HORNY GOAT WEED cialis de prescription – This contains a compound called phytoestrogen that has mild estrogen like properties. Besides this there is also try this cheap levitra prescription arginine which is known to cause hearing impairment. There are millions of men today who are avoiding the dangerous pharmaceutical options that have many adverse discount tadalafil side effects to the users. Strophe 4 (verses 18-22) – Plans for the future. Just as Job did in Job 19:24ff, the psalmist here expresses his desire to record for posterity his cries and God’s answer. The psalmist can have plans for the future because God has no past. Verses 20-22 give four purposes for which God looks down from heaven. Eventually (verse 24), it is for men to serve the Lord.
Strophe 5 (verses 23-28) – The psalmist’s faith strengthened. First, the psalmist recognizes that even if God takes his life, then God ought to be glorified. Ultimately, however, the psalmist recognizes that God is eternal. The world will come to an end but God is always the same. He never changes.
Friends, we serve the same God Noah did, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David… God may not work through us in miracles, but He will work. He is still in control and He still blesses His children who are faithful to Him.
Trust Him. He does not change.
–Paul Holland
