Today we look at Psalm 31 and how the Psalmist was responding to suffering. In this psalm the author describes his miserable life. It is so bad that he says his whole life is consumed with anguish, and he has spent years groaning about it. His neighbors hold him in contempt. His closest friends dread the sight of him! Apparently, his life was so disastrous that his friends didn’t want to talk to him anymore because they didn’t like being exposed to his misery. People on the street actually fled from him.
10 My life is consumed by anguish
and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction,
and my bones grow weak.
11 Because of all my enemies,
I am the utter contempt of my neighbors
and an object of dread to my closest friends—
those who see me on the street flee from me.Psalms 31:10-11 (NIV)
19 How abundant are the good things
that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,
on those who take refuge in you.Psalms 31:19 (NIV)
Have you ever been in a situation like this? Has your life ever been so miserable that you can’t do anything but groan about it? Do people get tired of hearing you talk about your suffering? Do you get tired of talking about your suffering? Are you frustrated about responding to suffering?
How was this psalmist responding to suffering? First, he cried out to the Lord. He did not pretend he wasn’t suffering and just recite positive thoughts. He expressed his distress honestly to the Lord. Secondly, he reminded himself of how God had delivered him in the past. Thirdly, in verse 19 he chooses to believe that God has abundant blessings waiting for those who fear him and rely on him. This is our encouragement in suffering, that God has helped us in the past; he will honor our faith and give blessings. He is good and will make all things work together for good, even if the only good is deeper faith, which is a treasure more valuable than gold (1 Pet. 1:7).
How are you responding to suffering in your life?
