Psalm 102:1-4 (NIV)
Hear my prayer, LORD; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food.
Life can be rather messy…and disappointing…and painful. The rain falls on the just and the unjust alike (Mt. 5:45) so no Christian should feel like they have been given immunity from the trials and tribulations of this world. They have not been given a way out, but a way through. In his commentary on Psalm 102, the great Matthew Clay remarks that, “The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but here, is often elsewhere, the Holy Ghost has put words into our mouths. Here is a prayer put into the hands of the afflicted; let them present it to God. Even good men may be almost overwhelmed with afflictions. It is our duty and interest to pray; and it is comfort to an afflicted spirit to unburden itself, by a humble representation of its griefs.” Have you poured out your griefs to God in prayer?
Some Christians are under the impression that God does not want to hear or is displeased by our complaints…our grievances…and our demands for relief. I wonder if they have spent much time in the Book of Psalm or have ever cracked open Lamentations. The Bible is brutally honest and pulls no punches when it comes to presenting the realities of life. The world in its present form is a messed up placed occupied by messed up people who do lots of messed up things to each other as well as themselves. God is fully aware of these realities and grieves over them as a parent grieves over the poor choices of a child. Whatever is in your heart and mind is already known to the Lord, so why hold that back when it comes to your prayers and supplications?
Regarding this Psalm, Spurgeon wrote, “The sufferer is afflicted more for others than for himself, more for Zion and the house of the Lord, than for his own house. When he is overwhelmed, or sorely troubled, and depressed. The best of men are not always able to stem the torrent of sorrow. Even when Jesus is on board, the vessel may fill with water and begin to sink. And poureth out his complaint before the LORD. When a cup is overwhelmed or turned bottom over, all that is in it is naturally poured out; great trouble removes the heart from all reserve and causes the soul to flow out without restraint; it is well when that which is in the soul is such as may be poured out in the presence of God, and this is only the case where the heart has been renewed by divine grace.” Have you ever met with a friend to share your troubles…to “get it off your chest?” A good friend is a wonderful blessing and can be an effective shoulder to lean or cry on, but they are almost powerless to affect a change in your heart or circumstances. Why not take it to your Heavenly Father, first, who both hears and has the power to change you and/or your situation?
Psalm 102, like the many other psalms of lament, is not just some long-winded pity party that trails off into a puddle of despondent tears—it ends up where it always should; at the feet of God. In verses 12-22 we see a new focus as the psalmist moves from tragedy to triumph…from his present circumstances to a future glory. Here are the facts:
God is above time and its inherent problems (12). God is a being of mercy and pity (13). God is trustworthy; therefore, he will fulfill his promises (14-16). God hears our prayers, cares when we hurt, and will act on behalf of his people (17, 19, 20). God can encourage later generations through the help he gives his people today. He will be vindicated, and “This shall be written for the generation to come” (18). When God renders help, men will praise and serve him (21-22).
The basis, then, for the psalmist’s hope is that he recognizes the character and nature of God. God is faithful to his promises. He will accomplish his divine plans, and faithful men and women will praise him in spite of earthly trials.
Amen.
