Asaph, the psalmist, is in great distress and rightly cries out to his God for comfort and deliverance. He is so troubled that both speech and sleep fail him. The psalmist makes diligent search for hope...there was no consolation for him in the present so he looks to the past...but the contrast depressed him more. Even his song that always seemed to be with him in his darkest hours was not to be heard.
Asaph's faith flounders. He begins to ask questions...questions that arise from his fear. Will the Lord cast off forever? Is His mercy clean gone forever? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? The answers to these questions are obvious...will the sun never rise again...will spring follow winter? Speaking his fears aloud help the psalmist see how ridiculous and absurd his unbelief and fear are. Take each question to its logical conclusion and his unbelief is seen for what it is...total and utter folly! These questions helped Asaph gain perspective...something that I so often lose when going through a difficult season. I grow weary and, like Asaph, forget who my God is. I question his goodness and his grace. I wonder if His mercy has ceased. I forget that weeping may endure for the night but that joy does come in the morning. God gives us manna just for the day and tells us that sufficient for the day is its own troubles. For me to look further than the moment is foolish. No one knows what will happen tomorrow, but our God's mercies are new every morning and His word tells us that we can go boldly to His throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.
God does not cast off forever. Though he causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of his mercies for He does not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. God's mercy endures forever and his grace is seen in the gift of His Son. If our God is for us, who can be against us. He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things?
Asaph then says this in verse 10: "This is my infirmity:" Asaph's infirmity is not his circumstances...his infirmity is his unbelief. He acknowledges it here and confesses it. Spurgeon says it could also be understood to mean, this is my appointed sorrow, I will bear it without complaint. Asaph has regained his perspective. He sees his affliction now through the eyes of faith...He sees it as the cup the Lord has given him. His desire now is to be reconciled to it. Asaph remembers who His God is! In case any of us forget here are the names of God from the Blue Letter Bible:
- El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)
- El Elyon (The Most High God)
- Adonai (Lord, Master)
- Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)
- Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)
- Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)
- Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)
- Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)
- Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
- Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)
- El Olam (The Everlasting God)
- Elohim (God)
- Qanna (Jealous)
- Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
- Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)
- Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)
It is the Lord...let Him do as seems good to Him!
Father,
Help my unbelief! Give me eyes of faith in times of trial and grief. You know me all together...you understand all my ways..and comprehend my path. You hedge me behind and before...such knowledge is too wonderful for me...it is high, I cannot attain it. All Your ways, Father, are good and Your right hand holds me continually. My flesh and heart may fail, my faith may flounder...but Lord, help me to remember that You are the strength of my heart and portion forever. I, like Asaph, have uttered things that I understood not...things too wonderful for me which I knew not.
All that I face, Lord, is from You, my God. Help me to bear it without complaint...to be reconciled to it...to not rebel against it. I want to be content with what You have for me. You are good to those that wait upon You...You are my God of compassion and do not afflict me willingly. To grieve right now is my portion...I accept it willingly. Any change in my circumstances or condition belong to You, my God. You are the ruler of all and over all and You love me with an everlasting love. Help me to see any problem as an opportunity to walk by faith...as an opportunity to see You!
