Listening in Our Pain
Psalm 55
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed."
(1 Peter 2:24)
In 1990 Barbara Johnson wrote a book titled, "Pain is Inevitable, But Misery is Optional, So Stick A Geranium In Your Hat and Be Happy!" It's a crazy title by a very funny woman, but this was, in actuality, an open window into her soul. She had encountered her share of pain and found she could survive in the midst of it through God's grace. There will always be pain, or the possibility of it, in our lives. This is the reality of our broken humanity. The Psalmist, David, often wrote about it as he tried to understand its purpose. In Psalm 55 alone he speaks of the enemy, the wicked, suffering, anger, anguish, death and storms.
However, equal reality is that we can give our pain to our Savior, Jesus. He is the One who carried our "wounds" on the Cross. And it is through His triumph over Satan that sin and death have been conquered! Let His words speak into your pain today: "I have come that they might have life and have it to the full" (John 10:10). His words hold true in the inevitable agonies of life, bringing hope into misery.
INSIGHT
Written to believers being persecuted for their faith, Peter's words give us hope: "Cast all your anxiety on
him because he cares for you"
(1 Peter 5:7).
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Numbers 21-22
Psalm 72
John 13
Psalm 55
For the choir director: A psalm[a] of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
1 Listen to my prayer, O God.
Do not ignore my cry for help!
2 Please listen and answer me,
for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.
3 My enemies shout at me,
making loud and wicked threats.
They bring trouble on me
and angrily hunt me down.
4 My heart pounds in my chest.
The terror of death assaults me.
5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me,
and I can’t stop shaking.
6 Oh, that I had wings like a dove;
then I would fly away and rest!
7 I would fly far away
to the quiet of the wilderness.
Interlude
8 How quickly I would escape—
far from this wild storm of hatred.
9 Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans,
for I see violence and conflict in the city.
10 Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders,
but the real danger is wickedness within the city.
11 Everything is falling apart;
threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.
12 It is not an enemy who taunts me—
I could bear that.
It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—
I could have hidden from them.
13 Instead, it is you—my equal,
my companion and close friend.
14 What good fellowship we once enjoyed
as we walked together to the house of God.
15 Let death stalk my enemies;
let the grave[b] swallow them alive,
for evil makes its home within them.
16 But I will call on God,
and the LORD will rescue me.
17 Morning, noon, and night
I cry out in my distress,
and the LORD hears my voice.
18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe
from the battle waged against me,
though many still oppose me.
19 God, who has ruled forever,
will hear me and humble them.
Interlude
For my enemies refuse to change their ways;
they do not fear God.
20 As for my companion, he betrayed his friends;
he broke his promises.
21 His words are as smooth as butter,
but in his heart is war.
His words are as soothing as lotion,
but underneath are daggers!
22 Give your burdens to the LORD,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
23 But you, O God, will send the wicked
down to the pit of destruction.
Murderers and liars will die young,
but I am trusting you to save me.
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 55:1 Hebrew maskil. This may be a literary or musical term.
b. Psalm 55:15 Hebrew let Sheol.
New Living Translation (NLT)
JESUS IN THE VALLEYS [PART 2]
with Kay Warren
Valleys are part of life. We have to walk through them, but we have a Shepherd who tells us that he walks with us. Is Jesus your comfort today? Listen and be encouraged in Christ!
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