WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE HURTING?

July 11, 2017

WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE HURTING?

Psalm 119:81–88

Katrina Saugier

Central Truth

When you go through a trial, will you call out to the Lord and cling to His promises and have hope? Or will you turn away?

All your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
(Psalm 119:86)

Kaph

81 My soul longs for your salvation;
    I hope in your word.
82 My eyes long for your promise;
    I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
    yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure?^{1

119:84
Hebrew How many are the days of your servant?}
    When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
    they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are sure;
    they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love give me life,
    that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Footnotes

[1] 119:84 Hebrew How many are the days of your servant?

King David stands out in Scripture as "a man after [God's] own heart" (Acts 13:22, NIV), but we see here that even a mighty man of God can suffer deep anguish, sorrow, and pain. I know that we, as believers, are not exempt from trials and sorrows. In fact, God's Word promises that believers will face persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). I wrestle with this concept often because I want ease, safety, and comfort. I look at the unknown future and plead with God for everything to just be okay. Sometimes, I get up the courage to pray, "Lord, can I just be a woman who trusts You? Will You help me worry less and trust more?"

This passage convicts me because I see the psalmist crying out to God in great sorrow, facing suffering that I have not begun to know (verses 84, 86), and yet still completely trusting God and hoping in Him (verses 81-82). I want to be a woman who does not plead for life to be easy, but more so hopes and trusts in our Father and His plan. I am getting more opportunities to do this as my kids get older and as we overlap with many people who do not think the same way we do.

One time, I invited several people to a Bible study and received hurtful criticism and pushback in a public setting from individuals who did not value the same things I did. I felt embarrassed and misunderstood. I was angry and offended that my efforts to include others had been mocked. I told God, "I am DONE. I am weary. I give up." However, God reminded me of His truth: "No you are not. This is the job. The world will always hate you because they hated Me first (John 15:18-19), but I LOVE you."

The weight of God's truth hit me like a ton of bricks, and even though the truth is sometimes hard to swallow, I could not argue with it. I knew that I needed to extend grace and turn the other cheek. I am thankful that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)

1. What are some trials you have gone through? Looking back on them, did you turn toward God or away from Him? What would you do differently this time? What would you do the same?

2. What does Scripture say about trials? (See, e.g., James 1:2-8, 12; Romans 5:3; Psalm 23:4) How does this encourage you or shape your view on suffering?

3. If someone you know is going through a hard time, what are practical ways that you can love, serve, and encourage that person?