Psalms -- A Book for Those Who are Suffering

Today's Reading:

• Psalm 69:1 -18
• Psalm 69:19 - 36

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Psalm 691: 36
This Psalm screams desperation.  David is suffering terribly from the wrath of the wicked.  He compares his suffering to that of almost drowning -- he says the flood waters are up to his neck and he can't find a foothold to cling to (69:1 - 2).  David says that he is hungry and he is thirsty, yet his enemies sit before fine tables (69:21 - 22).  Everyone he knows -- even his own brothers -- pretend that they don't know him (69:8).

David says that he has suffered much humiliation for worshiping the Lord.  He says he is scoffed at when he fasts (69:10) and made fun of for showing sorrow (69:11).  He says that he is the favorite subject of gossip, even among drunkards (69:12).  David is suffering greatly because people are telling lies about him.  He says that those who hate him outnumber the hairs on his head (6:4).

This Psalm paints a very desolate picture of the situation David is in.  He is outnumbered and everyone seems to hate him, even his own family.  He is suffering emotionally and physically.  Those who despise the Lord have all taken up issue with David himself.  He is carrying a terrible burden.

I can't imagine being in such a dark place.  I can't imagine what it would be like if I felt like I had no one on this earth to back me up, to be on my side.  I can't imagine how desperate it would feel to have everyone become so spiteful towards me.  He said he felt like he was drowning, and the end was very very near (flood waters up to his neck).

All these Psalms of David make me desperate to read his story and find out everything that was going on at the time these were written.  There's obviously so much more to the story than what I've learned in Sunday school -- primarily that David defeated a giant, was the least of his brothers, and was the greatest king of all (until Jesus Christ, of course).  Yet obviously there's a big, sinister story of suffering I don't yet know about.  Reading these Psalms makes my spirit agonize for David's suffering, so I would like to find out the rest of the story.

Like David's other desperate Psalms, this one highlights David's complete faith throughout his turmoils.  David knows the Lord is there, he knows the Lord will avenge him -- he just doesn't know how long he will have to endure the terrible suffering.  And, like the Psalms before it, this one ends in praise to the Lord.

These Psalms are written to speak through those going through the hardest parts of their lives.  They remind us that we aren't the only ones who have suffered, and we are not the only ones who might have felt abandoned by the Lord at times.  But these Psalms remind us have faith, and to sing praises to the Lord regardless -- because the Lord is faithful to those who are faithful to Him.  And for that, Lord, I sing my praises to you!

God's Will vs. Attacks from Satan

Today's Reading:
• Matthew 20:29 - 21:22
• Psalm 25:16 - 22

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Matthew 20:29
Jesus appeared in Jerusalem on a donkey's colt, causing uproar as he made the proclamation of his fulfillment of the prophecy known.  In chapter 21 verses 13-14 Jesus performs his famous clearing of the temple where he let it be known that a church is not supposed to be about ripping the patrons off to grow its own wealth. 

The most interesting part of this reading to me occurs after Jesus curses the fig tree (21:19).  When Jesus' disciples asked him how he did that, Jesus tells them that they have the power to do the same.  In fact, Jesus tells them that they could move mountains if they had but the faith and were without doubt (21:21).

 Jesus also told his disciples that they will receive anything they pray for as long as they have the faith (21:22).  First of all let me say that I do not think this is an open endorsement of receiving all our heart desires.  In fact I would think that it is far from it.  I think that to be in a place of true, pure doubtless faith that is strong enough for us to call on God's power as his own, then our request wouldn't be for our own desires in the first place.  We might pray for our survival or for our needs, but not our desires.

When I read those two verses I think of our ability to wield God's power over Satan.  This includes Satan's influence over our lives -- be it in the form of temptation, "natural" disaster or sickness.  Before you can get to that, however, you have to let go of your doubts.  That is so much easier said than done.

The pastor at my church has covered this topic recently and that's where my added insights come into play on this topic.  For my entire life I have attributed everything bad that has happened as being "God's Will."  I see more and more now that these things in general are not "God's Will".  Sure, God does deal out punishment on people, but His Will is that we we are healthy, strong,provided for, and that we live our lives for Him completely.  I also believe that no matter what happens to us, whatever is thrown at us, that God will take that situation and turn it for the good.  So just because Satan attacks doesn't mean that God won't turn that around for good later.

My overall point for all of this is that we can, with doubtless faith, wield the power of Jesus to overcome Satan.  But like I said, this is easier said than done.  I don't only mean for this to pertain to healing, but that is the application I am applying this to today.  My pastor said, "If you don't have faith in God to heal your headaches, how can you have faith enough to have cancer cured further down the road?"  That really struck home with me, so I am really trying to learn to utilize the power Jesus allows us to use over sickness right now.  It's going to be a long road but I'm going to take it one step at a time.

Psalm 25:16 - 22
In this second half of Psalm 25, David begs the Lord to ransom himself and Israel from all its troubles.  A simple reminder that when life is at its worse, there is only one person to turn to -- the Lord Almighty.