August 7th, 2011
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Hope in Anguish

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Dear Savior, open my eyes to reveal any stumbling sin, any darkened motive, any coveting desires. Forgive and restore me.

Read Psalm 102:1-28

[1] A prayer of an afflicted man. When he is faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you. [2] Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. [3] For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. [4] My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. [5] Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones. [6] I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. [7] I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof. [8] All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse. [9] For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears [10] because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside. [11] My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass. [12] But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. [13] You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. [14] For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity. [15] The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. [16] For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. [17] He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. [18] Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD: [19] “The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, [20] to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.” [21] So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem [22] when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD. [23] In the course of my life he broke my strength; he cut short my days. [24] So I said: “Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. [25] In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. [26] They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. [27] But you remain the same, and your years will never end. [28] The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.”

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have leaned the secret of being content …whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:12,13).

Think Further

What were your feelings reading this psalm? Sometimes worship leaders encourage people to praise God “whether you feel like it or not,” with quotes from psalms. Yet almost half of the psalms are cries to God. Most congregations include people going through times of distress, let alone times of community and national tragedies. This psalm provides an opportunity in corporate worship, no matter what your personal feelings, to pray in fellowship “with an afflicted person who has grown weak” (title of this psalm, TNIV).

Images of anguish build up (3-9). Through the psalm, anguish is verbalized and made legitimate. There is a sense that this is God’s “wrath” (10), whether that’s a wrong perception, like Job’s, or warranted, as the Jews in exile mourning the destruction of Jerusalem (14,16). Confession of sin has no part in this psalm; rather, there is opportunity to affirm faith in God, despite appearances. Somehow God must act in “compassion” (13), and his name must be honored by all nations (15,21,22). Others are not giving glory to God, and that must change! Personal suffering and anguish are put in the context of God’s glory among the nations. The concern is God’s vindication, putting all things right. God will “sit enthroned for ever,” and from heaven he will “hear the groans of the prisoners” (12,20), so he can be called upon to act in present personal distress. The God whose “years go on through all generations” (24) can be expected to ensure that future generations live in his presence (28). Through corporate use of this psalm, used by millions through the centuries, the “afflicted person” moves from feeling alone, far from God (1-11), to trusting in God’s vindicating glory among the nations.

Apply

Did you identify with the anguish of the psalm? If so, trust God to act rightly and know that you are not alone; many pray with you.

Closing prayer

Lord, I claim the promise for those who wait upon You; moments of exaltation, periods of steady devotion, and times of empowering strength.

Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.

© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.

Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.

View all readings

Get ENCOUNTER:

in your email:

in Print:

Become a Member | Visit our store