Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Psalm 102:1-12/16/17; Pain/Suffering/complaining

This is from Back to the Bible (anyone can receive their different sendings from Woodrow Krol)
Topic: Pain/Suffering, Other

Complaining to God

It's hard to miss the pain poured out in some of the psalms. It's almost shocking, sometimes, how honest the psalmist is, not just when he's describing his situation but when he asks God, "Why"?

And like the writer of the Psalm 102 shows us, there is a right way to take our pain and our complaints to God. Let's look at this psalm and explore that idea a little.

Receive


In my Bible, Psalm 102 has this subtitle, "A prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD." Right away, we know something is wrong in the psalmist's life. And so he takes his complaint to God.

"Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you!
Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!" (Psalm 102:1-2, ESV).


The fact that the psalmist is even crying to God for help says something. It's pointless to complain to someone you don't believe can help. In verses 3-11, the psalmist describes his situation.

Look at verse 12, though:

"But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever;
you are remembered throughout all generations" (Psalm 102:12, ESV).


It's all right to take our complaints to God, but we need to remember who He is. As you read through the rest of Psalm 102, look for all the ways the psalmist describes God.

Yes, the psalmist was in distress, and he was very honest about it. But in his distress, he knew he could trust God. He understood enough about God's character and His promises to be assured that:

"The LORD builds up Zion;
he appears in his glory;
he regards the prayer of the destitute
and does not despise their prayer" (Psalm 102:16-17, ESV).


When your life is crumbling, going to anyone besides God with your concerns is like asking a toddler to fix your broken car; it's not likely to happen.

Reflect


As you read Psalm 102, think about the following questions.

1. According to the psalmist, why does he think God would help him?

2. What reasons does the psalmist give for trusting God?

3. What were some of the physical responses to despair the author of Psalm 102 was experiencing?

4. In verse 12, how does the tone of the psalm change?

5. How does Psalm 102 conclude?

Respond


There's a difference between registering your complaint with God and second guessing what God does in your life. Remember, taking our complaints to God isn't so much about making the world the way we want it but making it the way God wants it. If there's something troubling you today, don't be afraid to take your complaint before the throne of God.

My Comments: I have been known to register my complaints with my loved ones though I would call them grumblings. When I go to the Lord I just let Him know what is troubling me or on my heart and that I am in need of His guidance in how to solve, rectify or accomplish or even get rid of something in me or my life or for others. I know of others who have railed against the Lord for the things going on in their lives (often yet not always, we bring these things on ourselves so I have not found it beneficial to rail against God for those things I myself have caused to happen.) rather than saying to the Lord "I made the wrong choice, please show me the way out." He will you know help if we ask Him sincerely.
All too often in life there are things we did nothing to cause to happen and we want our Heavenly Father to help us because He is the only one we know who can help.
We are in the midst of a society who thinks nothing of murdering little children whether it is abortion or like the male parent the other day who, like too many before him in recent years, brutally killed his two sons and then himself. Those children did nothing to cause that to happen nor did they deserve it anymore than the babies that are aborted daily. Those are not the things God ignores. He will answer their pan and suffering on the society and heads of government who allow such things to go unpunished or who do not make the laws to protect the unprotected.
For the rest of us who have things happen in our lives we did not do anything to cause, like rapes, incest, loss of a job, a car accident that was not our fault, a faulty wire burning our home, and other things, we cry out to Abba for relief from our pain. That is not complaining. It is heart felt need from our Father in Heaven who loves us so much. Yet all happens in His timing for us. Sometimes we do not see the result yet we can be assured because of God's love that it will be taken care of.
The children aborted will see the result of God's action from Heaven as will the two little boys. Their result will be being with the Lord and maybe even being reunited there with their Mom if she was a believer when she died. When we read the Word of God we know He hears.
trials and build in us Your strength and teach us to lean daily on You with greater trust and faith and in joy and gladness we praise You for Your tender mercies in helping us through any and all dilemmas that come in our lives. In Jesus precious name, Amen.


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