Psalm 102

Psalm 102

Affliction That Encourages

I. In our greatest affliction, God’s unchanging nature blesses us the most; but we must cry out to Him in our affliction (Vv. 1-11)

a. The psalmist in deep affliction and uncertainty, which is taking a deep toll on him physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. He’s completely broken, feels isolated and lonely, but surrounded by mocking enemies, unsure whether God is angry with him, he can’t find any relief from his affliction, and he feels like God has cast him away. He is absolutely overwhelmed by his circumstances and his frailty has become very real and very present. This might sound like complaining to many of us, but the proper perspective for viewing the afflictions of the psalmist and how we should approach our own affliction, is seen in the fact that, before laying out the deep details of his affliction, the psalmist cries out to God desperately and passionately, petitioning Him to hear and answer him in his affliction. Our afflictions in life aren’t always explicitly explained, but they are explainable. Afflictions in life can be a part of our fallen human experience in a sin broken world, they can be a form of spiritual attack by Satan intended to drive us away from God, they can be a direct result of God’s discipline for our individual and collective sin in order to turn us back to Him, or they can be intended tools of God’s refining. But all these reasons ultimately rest on the sinful and rebellious divide between God’s creation and Him; and they are all used by God either directly or providentially to show us our frailty, inability to sustain ourselves, and our desperate need for a Savior. In this way God causes all things to work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. But our proper and fruitful experience of God’s blessings of peace, comfort, and strength in the afflictions of life must begin with prayer. God is our only source of help in the difficult times in life, and He grants us free access to Him through Christ at all times and for all things. But we must be fervent in prayer at all times, then our times of greatest affliction, will bring our greatest blessings. (Vv. 1-5; Gen. 3:7-11; Lev. 11:13-19; Job 5:6-7; 19:20; Ps. 31:10; 32:3; 42:3,10; 51:11; Matt. 11:28-30; Rom. 8:28; Phil. 4:13; 1 Thess. 5:17-18; Heb. 4:14-16; 12:4-11; 1 Pet. 5:6-7)

II. In our greatest affliction, God’s unchanging nature blesses us the most; but we must trust in and testify to His sovereignty and perfect plan (Vv. 12-22)

a. The psalmist was humble to cry out to God, and faithful to share the burdens of his heart and life, and God was faithful to bless him with peace in knowing that He is sovereign, unchanging, and His plan is perfect. There’s no indication God relieved him by explaining the details behind the severe affliction that he’s experiencing. His change in attitude is solely attributed to a greater revelation of God’s sovereign and unchanging nature and character. Those who belong God, and who humbly, obediently, and faithfully turn to Him, can endure even severe affliction with peace, hope, and even rejoicing, knowing that God is control. As we grow to trust more and more completely in God’s sovereign and unchanging perfection, and His perfect plan, we grow to find peace, comfort, and hope, not in something temporary like the improvement of our circumstances, but in the greater and deeper revelation of who He is, and the true freedom from affliction in life through Him. Then we joyfully testify to that reality to future generations with our words and lives! (Vv. 12-22; Isa. 2:1-2; Jer. 29:11-13; Luke 4:17-21; John 8:30-36; Rom. 6:21-23; Gal. 6:14-16; Eph. 2:1-6; Phil. 2:9-11; Rev. 7:9-10)

III. In our greatest affliction, God’s unchanging nature blesses us the most; but we must look to our perfect and unchanging Savior (Vv. 23-28)

a. We know that God hears us in our affliction, understands our affliction, and is concerned for us in our affliction, because there is no affliction we can face in this life which rivals that which Christ bore on our behalf. Our lives are subjected to constant change and frailty, but Jesus and His work is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The results of His work is also unchanging, so the security of all who are reconciled to God through Him is unchanging. So, by looking to our perfect and unchanging Savior at all times, every season of affliction in life is an opportunity to understand Him and His love for us more deeply, and be encouraged in uncertain times or our certain eternal future in Him! (Vv. 23-28; Gen. 3:15; Job 19:25-27; Ps. 90:1-2; Isa. 53:3-11; Luke 24:21-32; John 3:16; 19:30; Rom. 8:16-18; 2 Cor. 4:7-10, 16-18; 5:21; Phil. 3:7-11; Heb. 1:10-12; 13:5b-8; 1 Pet. 1:6-9; 4:12-19; Rev. 21:1-7)