December 9th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

The Lonely Bird

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Opening Prayer

Holy God, in this Advent season I thank You for the light and the life that Jesus brings us.

Read Psalm 102:1-28

[1] A prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the LORD. Hear my prayer, 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] In my distress I groan aloud and 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, 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, 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

“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12:3, TNIV).

Think Further

This psalm allows us to eavesdrop on the innermost expressions and emotions of a godly person who is very ill and feels alone and forsaken. Not only is he overwhelmed by physical suffering, but he also struggles to understand why this should be happening to him. Furthermore, he not only has personal suffering to contend with, but he is also deeply concerned about Jerusalem. Nevertheless, he does not despair but turns his thoughts to the greatness of God.

The psalmist does not tell us what has happened, but he feels that God has cast him aside (10). His distress is so intense that he does not remember to eat and he knows that the day of his death is fast approaching (11). He compares himself to a “bird alone” and to an owl among ruins (6,7). In contrast to his own pitiful state, the psalmist knows that God, the eternal King, is enthroned forever. He is comforted by knowing that, although he is weak, he worships the God who laid the foundations of the earth and created the heavens (25).

The psalmist believes that the Lord will show mercy and favor to Zion (13). These prayers and aspirations for Jerusalem are fulfilled through the Lord Jesus Christ. Through his death in Jerusalem, Jesus showed that God is not indifferent to our suffering and pain. The crucified Messiah is now the exalted King and the book of Hebrews uses this psalm to remind us of his greatness and majesty (Heb. 1:10-12). Through his work on the cross a new Jerusalem has been created–a holy city filled with those who love the Lord. We are called to seek the peace of God’s church, where the Lord appears in his glory (16) and where true security is found (28).

Apply

Have you ever felt lonely in times of struggle and suffering (6,7)? What resources has God provided to help you cope? How do you use them?

Closing prayer

Lord, I thank You for the church, the Body of Christ. I praise You for what it means to me.

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