Trials and temptation
Trials and temptation
It is often in times of difficulty
that we put down deep roots. The psalmist uses the evocative expression ‘deep
calls to deep’ (v.7). Anything that is not from the depth in us will not
reach the depth in others.
The psalmist is ‘downcast’ (v.6b).
He feels as if God has forgotten him (v.9). He is ‘mourning, oppressed by the
enemy’ (v.9b). He is in ‘agony’ (v.10a). People are taunting him, saying,
‘Where is your God?’ (v.10b) – rather like the way some people taunt Christians
today.
The trials and temptation of life
have overcome him like a mighty waterfall: ‘In the roar of your waterfalls; all
your waves and breakers have swept over me’ (v.7). Yet he knows deep down that
despite being submerged by the waves of life, he can trust in God. ‘God
promises to love me all day’ (v.8, MSG).
Continuing with the image of a
torrential river, he refers to God as ‘my Rock’ (v.9). Though he feels that
God has forgotten him, he knows the reality that God is the greatest
security on which he can stand.
In the middle of all this he speaks
to himself. ‘Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put
your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God’ (v.11). He
knows that through all the struggles, trials and temptation he has to fix his
eyes on God, keep trusting and obeying him.
By G.G.T (kasoa branch)
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