Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Psalm 88-Prayer of the Afflicted



Truth for Truckers” *April 28, 2014* Psalm 88 “Prayer of the Afflicted

     This Psalm chronicles the experiences of a man who cries out to God because of all his troubles. He literally says: “My soul is full of troubles: and my life draws night unto the grave.” (v.2) Although he is really suffering spiritually and physically he continues to call out to God for relief: “Lord, I have called daily upon Thee, I have stretched out my hands.” (v.9)

     This man whose name is Heman the Ezrahite obviously knows the Lord, but knowing the Lord does not mean that there will not be tough times in the future. So, not understanding the reality of the Lord’s chastisement of His sons (Hebrews 12) Heman asks these eight questions in (v.10-14):
1.      Will Thou show wonders unto the dead?
2.      Shall the dead arise and praise Thee?
3.      Shall Thy loving-kindness be declared in the grave?
4.      Shall Thy faithfulness be declared in destruction?
5.      Shall Thy wonders be known in the dark?
6.      Shall Thy righteousness be known in the land of forgetfulness?
7.      Lord, why cast off my soul?
8.      Lord, why hide Thy face from me?

     His questions are answered in the book of Hebrews 12:6-8: “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the father chastises not? But if ye be without chastising, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” These truths are also written in Proverb 3:11, 12: “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD, neither be weary of His correction: For whom the LORD loves He corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.”

     The Lord has put me “Through the mill” since I am saved and while it was occurring I was whining and complaining to Him about the troubles I was experiencing. Questioning and blaming God are not the responses He wants to hear coming from His children. Remember those who are producing “fruit” He purges/cleanses that they may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2)

     He wants us to: “Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not unto our own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct Thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5, 6). This is the response He wants to hear and see from us when times of trouble come…and they will come, but our trust must be in Him and allow Him to purge us from our weakness and sinful ways. Drivers, when we suffer for Him we will receive eternal reward for allowing Him to use us in the battle of the ages which is going on in heaven between Him and Satan. We are the battlefield just as Job was in his day!
                                                                                       
Chaplain LEWolfe  www.btmi.org I-85 Exit 35 SC   McPilot    Stop in, and please pray for our ministry!

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