Psalms 102:1-11 - Homiletics

Affliction.

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous"— even of the righteous, and sometimes these are almost, if not altogether, overwhelming. We expect to find suffering and sorrow among the guilty, but experience teaches us that it is—

I. THE OCCASIONAL PORTION OF THE GODLY . Seldom, indeed, is the good man reduced to such distress as that described in the text; yet it does occur; troubles do sometimes accumulate where they seem least deserved or least necessary. But if not found in this degree, yet they are found in company with:

1 . Bodily pain ( Psalms 102:3 ), or weakness, or lingering disease, or some form of physical privation. There may be associated:

2 . Depression of spirit; so that food is distasteful ( Psalms 102:4 ), and the simple comforts of life bring no enjoyment; fair scenes give no pleasure to the eye, sweet sounds have no charm for the ear. There may be added:

3 . Loneliness; either because

4 . Added to these may be positive enmity and opposition ( Psalms 102:8 ). Perhaps the evil which is hardest to be borne is the accusation or the insinuation of misconduct made by former friends, who are now the most cruel of enemies, and who use the language of reproach or innuendo. Beside all this is:

5 . A painful sense of departure ( Psalms 102:3 , Psalms 102:11 ). The mind is oppressed by the thought that, like the lessening shadow, life is going; the opportunity for clearing reputation, for doing good work, for taking a good position, for reaping any of the fruits of toil, is rapidly being consumed; it will soon be gone, and then the best of life will have been lost. It is the servant of God who is sometimes called upon to "eat ashes like bread," and to "mingle his drink with his tears ' ( Psalms 102:9 ). But even in the midst of his distress and of his perplexity there will be—

II. A DEVOUT REFERENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD . The sufferer is a man who has mens conscia recti; he is the victim of injustice; he wonders why he is thus assailed, thus brought low; but he does not question the presence or the ordering of Divine providence. God has allowed it all: "Thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down." The Christian man in similar distress has learnt of Christ that calamity is not always a sign of Divine displeasure ( Luke 13:1-5 ); he does not therefore speak about "thy wrath and anger." Moreover, he has learnt of his Master that persecution is often the highest honour ( Matthew 5:10-12 ); and from his apostle that affliction is often not punitive at all, but curative; the evidence, not of Divine anger, but of Fatherly love and wisdom ( Hebrews 12:3-11 ). He therefore accepts what he suffers as the will of God concerning him, assured that it has a gracious purpose, and will work a spiritual and eternal good that will more than outweigh the physical and temporal distress.

III. THE APPEAL TO GOD . ( Psalms 102:1 , Psalms 102:2 .)

1 . It is a real relief to utter his thought in the conscious presence of God; the very recital of his griefs in God's ear brings some comfort. To tell all our troubles to a sympathetic friend, even when we do not expect him to be able to help us, is a relief to us; how much mere to breathe them into the ear of him who has the most perfect sympathy with every one of his people ( Matthew 8:17 ; Hebrews 4:15 )!

2 . We may confidently count on our heavenly Father's' help. It is the natural, and therefore the right, thing for us, in our moment of spiritual agitation, to use the language of earnest, if not agonizing entreaty, and to let earnestness pass into importunity ("hear me speedily"); it is altogether wise and right to continue in prayer for Divine succour when that seems to be delayed; but it is needful, for true sonship and perfect service, to rest calmly assured that God does always hear our prayer, and that he will help us, either by delivering us from our evil condition, sooner or later, here or hereafter, or by so multiplying his sustaining grace that we shall positively triumph in our endurance ( 2 Corinthians 2:14 ; 2 Corinthians 9:10 , 2 Corinthians 9:11 ).