The introduction to Psalm 102 reads like this: ’A Prayer of the afflicted when he is weak and pours out his complaint before the LORD’.

Now read carefully how the Psalmist who is going through all kinds of afflictions - physical weakness, frustration, terrifying loneliness, mental weariness - pours out all his sorrows before the Lord …

1. The momentariness of life

‘For my days have ended in smoke,And my bones have been scorched like a hearth.’ [Psalm 102:3]

‘My days are like a lengthened shadow,And I wither away like grass’. [Psalm 103:11]

He has broken my strength in the way;He has shortened my days’. [Psalm 102:23]

2. The brokenness of the heart

‘My heart has been struck like grass and has withered,Indeed, I forget to eat my bread.Because of the loudness of my groaning.My bones cling to my flesh’. [Psalm 102: 4-5]

‘I lie awake,I have become like a solitary bird on a housetop’. [Psalm 102:7]

3. The troubles of various kinds, as in a valley of tears

‘Hear my prayer, LORD!And let my cry for help come to You’. [Psalm 102:1]

‘For I have eaten ashes like bread,And mixed my drink with weeping.Because of Your indignation and Your wrath;For You have lifted me up and thrown me away’. [Psalm 102:9-10]

‘The pelican of the wilderness’, ‘the owl of the ruins’, ‘a solitary bird on a housetop’ … if you think that these words explain the condition you have been going through since the last several months, then this is your Psalm.

A ‘loud cry’, a ‘scorched and dry heart’, the ‘loudness of groaning’, the ‘days that end in smoke’, the ‘forgetting to eat bread’ … do you think that these words describe your condition in life?

Well then, be comforted. There is a God who will never leave us nor forsake us, the One who knows us, the One who was tested in all trials like ours, Jesus the Christ, the One who is merciful and gracious towards us!

Read aloud the words that gave strength to the Psalmist.

‘In time of old You founded the earth,And the heavens are the work of Your hands.Even they will perish, but You endure;All of them will wear out like a garment;Like clothing You will change them and they will pass away.But You are the same,And Your years will not come to an end’. [Psalm 102: 25 – 27]

The Almighty One, the unchanging One, the Creator of all things, the Lord of all, He is my strength. 

‘This will be written for the generation to come,That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD’. [Psalm 102: 18]

But You, LORD, remain forever,And Your name remains to all generations’. [Psalm 102: 12]

'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever’. [Hebrews 13:8]

So, let us lay down all our burdens and pour out our heart to the Lord who knows everything and sees everything. May the Lord bless you!

THE ALMIGHTY ONE, THE UNCHANGING ONE, THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS, THE LORD OF ALL, HE IS MY STRENGTH.    

Psalms 107

In the Psalm 107 we read the history of the people of God, both where they went through four kinds of sufferings and God saving them from these, as they cried to the Lord.

1. Desert

“Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.” Psalm 107:4,5

They lost all their hopes as they were in the life’s journey. A state where their heart was fallen. Not able to put forth even one more step. However, it is written one thing which they did.

“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.”  Psalm107: 6-7

Hallelujah! Thank you, Lord

2. Slavery

The people of God who rebelled against God had to live in pitch darkness. They suffered greatly in chains of slavery. In the land of Egypt and in other countries, people had to suffer greatly.

“Because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High. So, he subjected them to bitter labour; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.” Psalm 107:11,12

They cried out to God as they were in chain of slavery in pitch darkness. God is unchanging. His heart melted as He saw the tears of His people. 

“He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness and broke away their chains.for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.”- Psalm107:14,16

Glory to God.

3. Sickness

They had approached the gates of death. They groaned under the weight of their illnesses. They hated all kinds of food. A state where no medicine was effective. A situation where the doctors had given up. Lying on the bed of sickness, they cried unto the Lord their healer. He is a good doctor for all illnesses.  He had said: “I am the Lord that heals you”.

“They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.” Psalm 107:18-20

Glory be to the Lord who heals by sending the Word.

4. Storm and Waves

The people went through great tribulation. They lost all hopes in life. A state in which a decision could not be taken by thinking. Unable to sleep due to anxieties. Like a small boat which has been trapped in the middle of the sea in a whirlwind. Unable to disclose anything due to extreme mental tension. They cried unto God who understands the hearts. 

“For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end”. Psalm 107:25-27

These lowly people cried out. And the Lord heard. How did the Almighty God send the reply?

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” Psalm107:29,30

O God, You are Almighty. All things are possible to You. Halleluiah.

… However, in all these four situations, as God redeemed them, they praised and glorified the Lord.

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,” Psalm 107:8, 15,21,31

You who read this might be going through one of these situations. There is only one way out:  Cry out to the Lord and pray with whole heart. Jesus will redeem us… He is unchanging. Let us confess our sins and repent. Let us commit all our worries into the hands of the Lord. He will lead us till the end. But as we receive the answer, let us be thankful to God. Le us praise God, worship Him…

(Courtesy: The unchanging Word of God-David Jeremiah)

  

Once, the renowned Radio Evangelist David Jeremiah arrived to participate in Alabama prayer conference.

One of the organizers of the event informed him that someone was waiting to see him. The young man who came to see David introduced himself: “Sir, my name is Red. I came to see you, hearing that you have come to this city. Let me share my experience to you.  Sometime earlier, having lost all hope in my life, I decided to end my life. As I lived in a life of splendor, I had lost all hope in my life. I decided to commit suicide by driving the car at high speed and ram against a large tree which was at a road bend. Thus, I went to end my life by hitting against that large tree. I was blaring a rock music through the car radio as I started driving. The radio was not functioning well as the car was speeding along. In a fit of rage, I punched the radio buttons. The car was fast approaching my target. At once a message from another radio station sounded in the car. It was the impact of punching the radio buttons, that changed the radio station. I hear a sermon about heaven, how to reach there, how to receive eternal life, words of salvation etc.… David, it was your Radio program titled ‘Turning Point’. I stopped the car and received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Today I am a traveler to heavenly Zion.” Red stopped speaking.

          Then we together glorified God in joy.

God loves you! Believe in Jesus. If you are one who is sharing in the love of God, then keep growing in it. Nothing is impossible with God.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:58.