This Transient Life: Psalm 39-Supplication through the Scriptures
This Transient Life
Psalm 39
It is his right to do as he wills, and he always wills to do that which is wisest and kindest; why should I then arraign his dealings? Nay, if it be indeed the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.
Charles Spurgeon
Life has always been filled with transitions and changes. Many are good changes: births, promotions, marriages, or growing up to name a few. Sometimes changes bring difficulties we didn’t anticipate. There are changes that cause us to be perplexed and confused about the direction the Lord is leading us.
In Genesis we read about the life of Joseph. Joseph must’ve been confused when his brothers cruelly sold him as a slave. Yet even in slavery, the Lord was with him causing all that he did to prosper. Then he must’ve been equally confused when, after living in integrity despite his master’s wife’s advancements, he finds himself in jail unjustly. But yet again, the Lord blesses him and he is placed in charge of the prison and all the prisoners.
Most of us know how the story goes. Pharaoh’s two officials, the cupbearer and the baker, are thrown in the same jail where Joseph is being held. They each have a dream and Joseph interprets their dreams, and Joseph says to the cupbearer, “Only keep me in mind when it goes well with you, and please do me a kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house" (Genesis 40:14).
But the cupbearer forgets about him. Two years pass and then the cupbearer remembers Joseph when Pharaoh has two dreams that need interpreting. The events of Joseph’s life would be confusing to us, except we know the end of the story. We know that he is raised to power and rules all of Egypt and that only in the throne is Pharaoh greater than Joseph. But 20 years of confusing, hard circumstances should not be passed over quickly. Or even two forgotten years. What do you suppose Joseph did in those years? What must he have prayed? What was the Lord doing in those years in Joseph?
One thing we know for sure, Joseph displays trust in the Lord. When he is reunited with his brothers, he says, “Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 45:5-8).
Joseph’s life should encourage each of us in our own difficult and often perplexing situations. While we may not know what God is doing right in this moment, we can confidently say He is doing something wise, good, and kind. And just as we saw the end of Joseph’s story and we have clarity about God’s providence in his life, we know the end of our story too. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.’ And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new’” (Revelation 21:3-5).
Mute and Silent
39:1-3 I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
Let’s pray:
▫️In these circumstances we do not understand we would hide His Word in our hearts that we would not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11).
▫️We would not sin with our tongue and dishonor the Lord, even when feelings of frustration and confusion arise within us.
▫️We would know when to speak and when to keep silent.
▫️We would purpose in our hearts not to transgress with the words we say, the tone of voice we use, or our facial expressions. The law of kindness would be on our tongue.
Make Me Know My End
39:4-6 “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
Let’s pray:
▫️We would know how fleeting our days are and desire to glorify Him each day, even when we do not understand what the Lord is doing at this moment.
▫️We would remember that while these afflictions seem long and difficult, in comparison to eternity and the glory that awaits us, these afflictions are light and momentary (2 Corinthians 4:17).
▫️In our inner turmoil, we would cling to the tender mercy of God and that He knows our frame and that we are just a breath, a shadow.
Hope in the Lord
39:7-8 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
Let’s pray:
▫️This morning we would lift our voice to the Lord, order our prayer to Him, and eagerly watch for His answer (Psalm 5:3).
▫️Our hope would be set firmly on Him and the truth He has revealed to us in His Word. We would know that He will triumph, He will make all things new, and we will not be disappointed.
▫️We would rejoice that myriads of blessings are ours in Christ, including the forgiveness of our sins.
Silent Acceptance
39:9 I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.
Let’s pray:
▫️We would have a humble acceptance of God’s will in our lives.
▫️We would recognize, as Joseph did, that it is God who has placed us where we are, and He would make us fruitful in our afflictions.
Discipline of the Lord
39:10-11 Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand. When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah
Let’s pray:
▫️In the Lord’s discipline, we would not lose heart, but we would be trained by it and the peaceable fruit of righteousness would be produced in us (Hebrews 12:11).
▫️We would believe that if the Lord causes grief, He will have compassion according to His lovingkindness (Lamentations 3:32).
Give Ear to My Cry
39:12-13 “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers. Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!”
Let’s pray:
▫️The Lord would hear our prayer, give ear to our cry, and act on our behalf and bring clarity to our confusion.
▫️Our tears would be regarded by the Lord and He would move with compassion on our behalf.
▫️We would truly be able to say, “It is well with my soul,” and trust His providence in our lives.
May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Photo credit to aronvisuals
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