Psalm 119:81-88

Tuesday 21^st January

Read Psalm 119:81-88

“Kaph

⁸¹ My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
    but I have put my hope in your word.
⁸² My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
    I say, ‘When will you comfort me?’
⁸³ Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
    I do not forget your decrees.
⁸⁴ How long must your servant wait?
    When will you punish my persecutors?
⁸⁵ The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
    contrary to your law.
⁸⁶ All your commands are trustworthy;
    help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
⁸⁷ They almost wiped me from the earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
⁸⁸ In your unfailing love preserve my life,
    that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.” (NIVUK)

This journey is exhausting, I feel like giving up. v81-88.             

Suddenly, or maybe we have been building to this, the psalmist is to the stage in the journey where he is running out of resources to continue (faint), surely the end of the journey is soon, and salvation will come? Lord, the hope of salvation is why I have put my hope/trust in your instructions as I have made my way on the rocky and steep bits of the path. I seem to have been looking (eyes fail) at your promises forever, surely the end and a little comfort will come soon? The psalmist says right now, I feel dried out and can’t see clearly (fatigue modelled by a wineskin) but even so, I look and listen to your instructions.  Lord how long do I have to wait? The hard yards never seem to end, and of late the arrogant are making it harder by putting traps in my path (potholes or bridge failures?) to try and make me take a path that ignores your instructions. Lord, I have no fight left, can you please stop/punish them for doing this? But, even in my fatigue I realise you are trustworthy, and your ways will lead to salvation but please help me, the unjust persecution seems to go on and on and I am almost to the end of my tether (wiped me from the earth). Even so I will find the energy to listen because I know your love is great and will preserve my life, I will continue to follow your instructions!

Geoff Hinch