Psalm 116:10 I trusted in the LORD when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”;
Some people create a fantasy world in which they try to live. Here in Florida we have multiple theme parks that give people the opportunity to live for a short while in a fantasy world, where money is no object and the credit card bill won’t come due! You can ride and shop and eat without consequence, at least for the moment.
The design of the parks is such that everything looks bigger than it actually is. The dimensions of the buildings are out of the norm, creating the illusion of height and grandeur without the expense. Everything is designed to take you to a “happy place” and get you to part with some more of your cash. And they have been successful at doing just that.
There are even people who think that if they never say anything negative, then the negative can’t happen to them. They walk around with blinders on in an attempt to ‘stay safe.’ This only leads to living a lie, because bad things do happen in this world.
Our text today confronts this way of behaving directly. The writer states that he trusts in the LORD and at the same time he declares that he is “greatly afflicted.” This guy isn’t doing a very good job of staying positive, is he!
Part of the Christian life is honesty, honesty about ourselves and honesty about God. No blinders are allowed. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
So the Psalmist brings his reality right into the presence of the LORD. Remember, Psalms are the worship songs of ancient Israel and the early Church. These words of our text would have been sung as part of their corporate gatherings, as a way to encourage and strengthen the community of God.
What do we do with our struggles? Do we bring them before the Body of Believers? Do they become part of our conversation as we draw in closer to the LORD? Or are the messy edges of life just ignored?
The Psalmist talks directly about his struggle. He felt overcome by them. He felt like there was no way out, like he was trapped and about to die. He even declares that the death of God’s people is a precious thing. These are not outwardly encouraging. On the surface it seems as though discouragement is his desired outcome of this song.
But then we hear him repeatedly calling His people into closer proximity to the LORD. We can find rest for our soul if we return to the LORD, for He is good. Deliverance did come. Rescue did happen.
So when we face troubles, bring them into the LORD’s presence. Be honest with Him about how you are feeling and what you are experiencing. And then bring that into your group of believers. Let them in on your struggle. It will be a risk, being honest, but the risk is far outweighed by the example of the Scriptures, where struggle becomes worship.
The Arnold Journey 