Coping with pain and suffering

Psalms 6:2-3

2)  Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

3)  My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?

At first reading this is one of the most depressing psalms of all time. It sounds like Job had it easy. In fact David may have written this psalm to summarize the events of Job’s life.  But in reality this is a psalm of encouragement. Are you in physical pain, emotional pain, or psychological pain? David was when writing this psalm. Do you feel depressed, even suicidal ? It looks like David was. Are you grieving endlessly, unable to cope anymore? David had turned his bed into a water bed from crying so much.

The question we face is not, how do we solve our visible problems, but how we let that affect our relationship with God. David is certain his attitude had displeased God and is pleading to be accepted with mercy. There is no trial that is not covered by the emotional summary of personal disaster given here, and yet it concludes with a certainty that God has heard our prayer. Like Job, there is no complaint of what God has, or has not done, only the plea of a contrite heart.

God does hear as we weep, he will receive our prayer, our supplication, and he will shame those that mock us. Have you let your situation destroy your relationship with God, or will you use it as an opportunity to seek him more?

Paul Davies - A pile of pots

We are 'earthen vessels' it says in Corinthians. Pots to hold whatever God has given us. Only his light shining makes any difference to what people see.

How will you worship?

Psalm 5

Psalms 5:7-8

7)  But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

8)  Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

What will you do? Where are your priorities? The first question is, will you worship, and the second question is, how will you worship? This psalm begins with a call to prayer. Priority number one, first thing in the morning the psalmist turns to prayer. The very next thing is a call to worship. It is foolishness in the eyes of God, to fail to come to his house to worship, for they do not want their hearts revealed.

It is in the act of communal worship that our hearts are revealed. When listening, and looking around during a time of worship one can see those who, like the psalmist, have come in the knowledge of the mercy of God. The fear of God, the full response to his majesty, is visible and audible from those who are truly worshiping in spirit and truth. The sad thing is how many people come to a place of worship with no intention to worship, and this is because they do not fear God, and yet they expect God to make their way straight, to protect them from all evil and so on.

If you truly trust in God, yes there will be hard times, but even then there will be rejoicing, for it is hard times together with God. So, as you come before God in worship start in praise, a declaration of the goodness and greatness of God. Then continue in worship as you come near to God and respond to what he has and is doing.

Going home is never easy

Jesus went home, and declared his ministry. The reaction was violent, to say the least.

How do you measure success?

Psalm 4

Psalms 4:2-3

2)  O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?

3)  But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

Looking around us we see many achieving great success. We actually see many failing and struggling, yet it it those achieving success that stick in our minds. How come I am not that successful we cry? They ignore God, ignore common sense, do the most stupid things, and still succeed, while we work our fingers to the bone just to make ends meet.

Sadly it is those who most enjoy success that suffer the deepest distress. I recently saw an article on “where are they now?” tracking the careers of Disney stars. Only one is not now mired in substance abuse, addiction, prison and so on, and she is trying hard to get mired. The rich, famous, successful people who everyone wanted to emulate are now suffering far beyond anything most of us will experience!

God has set us apart for a purpose. We are not part of that lifestyle because we have been called to a holy life. “Stand in awe, and sin not” the psalmist writes. We are to be in awe of God not man. If we stand in awe of men we are falling for a false picture that does not reveal the pain beneath, and are riding a road into sin. Being in awe of God changes our entire outlook on life. We ask no longer, “how come I?”, but “how come God?”. How come he cares about me? How come he loves me? The creator of the universe sent his own son to die that we might live. The only question we can then ask is, how can I arrange my life so I can maximize the time spent serving the Lord most high?

Come to the well

When Jesus encountered a woman at the well in Samaria he dealt with two serious issues, spiritual and physical. We face the same issues today.

Why did God let this happen to me?

Psalm 3

Psalms 3:1-3

1)  LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

2)  Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

3)  But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Have you ever been in serious trouble? Have you ever thought things just could not get any worse? At the same time all around you would have to agree, they may even say, 'why does God not do anything?', 'Maybe you have been judged and God will not help you!' This was the situation David found himself in when writing this psalm. His own son had seized the throne and was hunting him down!

For many unbelievers when things go right they say that they have done well, when things go wrong it is God's fault, or God does not exist, or he would have stopped this happening. They never stop to think what they did to cause the problem. As believers we fall into a similar trap. In bad times we cry out, God where are you? In good times we forget to praise him. How different is David's attitude. He was in the darkest days of his life. He could not see the hand of God at work, and all appeared to have deserted him, yet he knew that God is invincible and praised him regardless of his circumstance.

As you approach situations how do you react? We should do as David does in this psalm, look back at what God has already done. He has given you salvation, and has done all we read in the Bible. He rose from the dead defeating sin. No matter what you are facing today God is bigger, and his strength will never fail. Joseph spent thirty years in exile, in slavery and in jail before he saw that God was using him to provide for his family. God thinks long term. What about you?