Psalms 119:49-72 - Homiletics

Comfort in affliction.

Those who construct a philosophy of human life, or who criticize any religious creed that claims their attention, are bound to recognize—

I. THE SERIOUS FACT OF AFFLICTION . For it is a very large element in our life, and powerfully affects our character. There is not one that has not occasion again and again to say, "in my affliction" ( Psalms 119:50 ). Most of us have, at times, to go much beyond this, and speak of being "afflicted very much" ( Psalms 119:107 ), or are even constrained to say, "Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me "( Psalms 119:43 ).

1. Sometimes, often indeed, it is due to the injustice, or the cruelty, or the inconsiderateness of men ( Psalms 119:51 , Psalms 119:61 , Psalms 119:69 , Psalms 119:78 ). The very worst suffering is the consequence of the betrayal and the hostility of those we once trusted and loved ( Psalms 41:9 ).

2. Affliction may spring from our religious earnestness ( Psalms 119:53 , Psalms 119:136 ). The unbelief, indifference, impiety, immorality, and violence we see or read of constitute a heavy burden upon our soul.

3. God's apparent delay is another source of trial ( Psalms 119:82 ). "How long, O Lord, how long?" has been the painful cry of all generations of the persecuted and troubled children of God. Beside these are the common, everyday afflictions of sickness, loss, straitness, disappointment, bereavement. Then comes—

II. THE APPEAL TO GOD . ( Psalms 119:58 , Psalms 119:107 .) While prosperity abounds we may forget God, but as soon as adversity comes we remember him. And those who walk with God in health and joy instantly and naturally look to him when they enter the dark shadows. "Remember me, my God, for good!" "Deliver me!"—these are the instinctive cries of the burdened heart. We may, as the psalmist does here, plead our close, spiritual relationship to him as a ground of appeal ( Psalms 119:153 ).

III. OUR REFUGE IN TIME OF TROUBLE .

1. We rest in God's promise—the "word on which he has caused us to hope" ( Psalms 119:49 ; see Psalms 41:1 ; Psalms 46:1 ; Psalms 90:15 ; Isaiah 43:2 ; John 14:18 ; Hebrews 13:5 , Hebrews 13:6 , Hebrews 13:8 ).

2. We find, in God's goodness to us in the past, an assurance of his pity at the present time, and his blessing in the future ( Psalms 119:65 ; Psalms 23:1-6 .).

3. We find great comfort in the knowledge we have of God's character, assured that One so kind ( Psalms 119:68 ) and so faithful ( Psalms 119:75 ) must be leading us by the right and wise way, however strange the path may seem to us.

4. Whatever be taken from us, we always have left to us our God, our Savior himself; and he is our portion ( Psalms 119:57 ); he himself is "our exceeding great reward." No loss, no discomfiture, no betrayal, can take away from us the inestimable treasure of the favor and the friendship of Jesus Christ.

IV. ITS ISSUE . ( Psalms 119:67 , Psalms 119:71 .) There are some lessons which we cannot learn in the light, but can learn in the darkness. When all other means fail to affect us, the strong rod of affliction arouses us, and awakens us to the neglected truth. Then we see that to which we had been strangely blind; then we turn from the evil track and the fatal precipice, and enter once more the way of wisdom, the path of life. Instead of a dangerous indulgence is a wise self-restraint; instead of an increasing worldliness is a deepening joy in devotion; instead of questionable companionships is the society of the holy; instead of slackness in service is the steady flame of zeal; instead of half-heartedness is whole-heartedness in our Christian life.