When Trouble and Anguish Overwhelm Me: Psalm 119:137-144

When Trouble and Anguish Overwhelm Me

Psalm 119:137-144

Though he does not yet see the outcome of his present troubles, the psalmist knows his God to be "righteous," his word to be "righteous" and "faithful," and his promises to have been tested repeatedly in redemptive history. He knows in whom he has put his trust; therefore, he does not challenge the Lord's integrity but prays humbly that he may "understand" so that he may be revived in his inner being.
VanGemeren

In this section of Psalm 119, the psalmist emphasizes five times the righteousness of God and His testimonies. He declares that God is righteous (119:137), and that His righteousness is an everlasting righteousness (119:142). He declares God’s testimonies to be appointed in righteousness (119:138), and they too are righteous forever (119:144). The psalmist finds himself in a place where trouble and anguish have overtaken him (119:143 NKJV). Perhaps in his anguish he has been tempted to doubt the Lord, so he’s fighting in faith to remind himself that despite his trouble, the Lord always does what is right. The Lord’s promises are well-tried (119:140) and proven. So, the psalmist asks the Lord to give him understanding (119:144). We have here in these verses a model for us when we find ourselves in trouble and anguish and we may be tempted to question the Lord’s integrity. Countering our doubts with truth and pleading for understanding is how we “fight the good fight” of faith when trouble and anguish have overtaken us. 

The story of Job reminds the ones who are overwhelmed with trouble that when we can’t make sense of our trouble, we can trust the righteousness, the wisdom, and the power of God. In the depth of Job's distress, he may have questioned the Lord, wondering if He was dealing with him rightly (Job 40:2, 7). In Job 38-41, the Lord asks Job a long series of questions meant to highlight the infinite wisdom and understanding of the Lord. If you read through those chapters, it is evident that there is nothing in this world that lies outside the scope of God's sovereignty and care. It is humbling to read of His majesty and might, His detailed knowledge and power over nature and creation. We can read those chapters and be reminded, as Job was reminded, that the Almighty God can do all things, and no purpose of His can be thwarted (Job 42:2). If there is any doubt in our minds questioning God's integrity regarding His dealing with us, we ought to repent (Job 42:6). In righteousness, He has sovereignly brought about the situation each one of us is in. In His wisdom, He knows this situation will be exactly what we need so that we will be further conformed to the image of Christ. In His power, He has not been thwarted or overruled. He has not dealt wrongly with us. 

Because of the depth of difficulty or length of the trial, if we are not careful, it can be easy to slip into a mindset that doubts the goodness and kindness of God. Does our demeanor reflect a heart that trusts our Lord completely? Life can be hard at times. But contemplating our God as the One who laid the foundations of the earth, the One who has storehouses of hail, the One who sovereignly ordains the birth of wild beasts, the One who placed every brilliant star in its place and knows the name of each one, this amazing God knows exactly what He purposes to do in us and for us. And His purposes are never derailed, sidetracked, confused, or thwarted. 

So, when trouble and anguish overtake us, when we don’t see the way out, when we are confused, we must put on the mindset of the psalmist and remind ourselves that our God is righteous. Then we turn to our God, infinite in wisdom, and plead for understanding. 

Let's pray through this section of Psalm 119 so that we would trust in the Lord's righteous character, and that He would give us understanding for the trouble and anguish in our lives.

119:137-138 Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules. You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. 
Father, I pray:
▫️I praise You because You are righteous. You are perfectly holy, and You always act according to Your right and just character. Forgive me for ever questioning Your goodness, Your kindness, Your wisdom in the ways You have dealt with me. Particularly, forgive me for doubting Your integrity in ___________. 
▫️Your testimonies have been appointed in righteousness and all faithfulness, reflecting who You are. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me. Thank You for new mercies each morning. You are my portion and my hope is in You. In this time of trouble, help me to wait quietly for You and for Your salvation (Lamentations 3:22-26).

119:139–140 My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words. Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. 
Father, I pray:
▫️Give me a zeal for You and Your Word. When I suffer because others forget Your words, help me to maintain my integrity and continue to walk in Your ways. It is so easy to try and justify my own sin when I have been sinned against. But I want to be zealous for what is good even in the midst of my trouble and anguish.
▫️Your promise is well tried. What a comfort! To know that throughout redemptive history, in the lives of the saints, Your faithfulness and goodness have been proven. The testimony of Your people from ages past is that they have tested Your Word and it has never failed them (Hudson Taylor). Give me such a confidence in You and Your Word so that I can face this trouble without doubt.

119:141-142 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true. 
Father, I pray:
▫️Sometimes, my trouble leaves me feeling small, unnoticed, and forgotten. Help me to battle those feelings with the truth. Bring to my mind Your love and care for me. Help me to remember that though I may feel small and insignificant, I serve a mighty God. You laid the very foundations of this earth. You keep all the stars, know each one by name, not one is missing. How much more will You keep and preserve Your children, in the midst of their difficulties, who have been bought by the blood of Your Son?
▫️Your righteousness is everlasting. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom (Psalm 145:13), and You have loved us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). Your will will be done on earth, in my life, in this trouble. I do not need to be troubled or afraid. 

119:143-144 Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.
‭Father, I pray: 
▫️When I feel overwhelmed by trouble and anguish, deepen my delight in Your commandments. Prove the genuineness of my faith through this fiery trial. Make me perfect and complete, lacking nothing, as a result of persevering through this trial. Strengthen and uphold me by Your righteous right hand.
▫️You are the giver of wisdom, understanding, and insight. Give me understanding in this difficulty. Give me wisdom on how to act and respond. Give me understanding of Your ways and Word which I would not have known if I had not walked this particular road. Give me insight and deeper knowledge of Your love for me. When I do not know what to do, what to say, what avenue of help or instruction to pursue, lead me and show me. 
▫️Through Your tender care of me during this trouble, my heart would be revived and strengthened.

May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All right reserved.

Photo credit to fakurian

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