How do you approach affliction? When there is too much happening in your life and at work, do you feel overwhelmed? Psalm 102 is a prayer crying out to God, calling Him not to hide his face. With God, you are not alone in your affliction. You have someone who will hear you and someone who cares for you. The words of the Psalm capture my feelings so that I am able to make them my own prayer. You could pray them as well.
3 For my days are consumed like smoke,
And my bones are burned like a hearth.
4 My heart is stricken and withered like grass,
So that I forget to eat my bread.
5 Because of the sound of my groaning
My bones cling to my skin.
Psalm 102:3-5
My prayer for you is that you will know God’s grace as you cry out to him.
Hope in defeat
The Psalmist later expresses something amazing. Even when overcome by enemies and defeated, the Psalmist reminds us that God remains victorious. God’s Kingdom is assured and the Psalmist faith is not placed in his own personal victory. Typically, I want God to get me out of my affliction or overcome those who are afflicting me. This Psalm expands my awareness ‘up’ and ‘out’ of myself to include a far greater vision of God’s Kingdom. I think that in the West, we are sucked into thinking we are the main character in our own movie, and of course we expect the hero to win. This can create a lot of disappointment because life is not a Hollywood movie.
Let this Psalm shift your focus so that God is the centre of your story. Being afflicted does not mean there is something wrong with you. Affliction reminds us that we live in a broken world and God’s plan is still underway. In the meantime let your affliction turn you Godwards.
Photo by Rachel Strong on Unsplash
Life with Christ 