“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!
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