Ps 119:81-83 (KJV)
81) … My soul fainteth for thy salvation: [but] I hope in thy word.
82) Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
83) For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; [yet] do I not forget thy statutes.
Have you ever been in a situation that seemed to be hopeless? Did you ever feel as if you were all alone as you faced a tragedy in your life? Here, in our text we find the author of this Psalm (probably King David) recording an event in which he felt both hopeless and alone. In the next three “Think on These Things” we will be looking at these verses, trying to find a remedy when we face these same feelings during our walk on earth. As we continue our study, we are going to see that the remedy will involve different aspects of God’s Word.
All three of these verses follow a pattern involving two basic parts:
a. an explanation of his feelings during times of tragedy b. a remedy for those feelings
In our last devotion we saw that when the burdens of this life bring about feelings that we cannot continue on, we can receive strength through the assurance that we will be delivered from this present evil world and enter into the eternal presence of our Savior, the Lord Jesus.
In today’s devotion I would like us to look at verse 82 – In this study we will begin by looking at the second part of the text and then finish by looking at the first part of this verse.
saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
Here we find two emotions that the Psalmist is experiencing as he goes through this unnamed, devastating trial…. It is the emotions of loneliness and impatience. Please notice the Psalmist is assured that the Lord comforts His people who are in need. How do I know this? The Psalmist does not say “Will you comfort me?” Instead, his issue is that he is tired of waiting for this comfort. It is appearing to him as if the Lord is delaying the promised comfort or else the Lord does not recognize the great need of comfort in his life.
The Psalmist is experiencing a very common emotion that we all have when we take our eyes off our Lord during times of trials. It is the emotion that leads us to cry out, “Lord, where are you?”… “Dear Lord, do you know what I am going through?”… “Lord, do you care about me?” (Psa 22:1-2)
Mine eyes fail for thy word,
What do we find as the remedy for these feelings of loneliness? Consistent reading, study and meditation on God through His Word. Notice that the Psalmist said his eyes were exhausted and began failing him because he was constantly desirous of His Word. The Psalmist knew that when he was faced with loneliness the only thing he could do was live in the Word.
Why is our living in the Word so important when we feel lonely and deserted? It is through His Word that the Lord speaks to us, reveals Himself to us and gives us comfort and assurance of His presence and blessings. This is the exact prescription for the infirmity of loneliness and abandonment…. Constant reminders of God’s presence and wonderful promises He gives to His people. (Psa 119:49-50)
In this verse we can see that, when our burdens leave us with feelings of loneliness and abandonment, we are to run to His Word and live in it, seeking truths about the Lord’s person, works and promises of blessings on our behalf.
May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.
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