Read
Psalm 88
Consider
For many, the word to describe the past two years has been despair. For us, it was the isolation of stay-at-home orders with three young kids along with a leukemia diagnosis for my dad in April 2020. For you it might have been separation from family, loneliness, or even the loss of employment, purpose and hope. Even the recent shootings in Texas & Buffalo alongside the ongoing war in Ukraine add to that feeling of despair.
I am glad as a church that we get to journey together in this series entitled, “How are you feeling?” It allows us the opportunity to lament, grieve and turn back to God. This week, we are exploring Psalm 88, which might be the most depressing of the Psalms. The final verse reads, “You have taken my companion and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend.”
Usually Psalms end with a turning back to God but this Psalmist is in a dark place. However, even in the midst of their pain and suffering, the Psalmist is still able to cry out three times to God (v1, 9 & 13) because they truly believe that the Lord can save them. I hope that as we study God’s Word together, He will reveal Himself to us and show us that He hears our cries of despair and can minister to us powerfully through them.
Looking forward to worshipping together this Sunday.
Pastor Tim Sreedharan
Pray
Father, we come before you in weakness because you are our strength. We thank you that in the midst of pain and turmoil, you are a God who hears our cries of despair. We come boldly to you in our brokenness because you are the God who cares and can save. We thank you and we worship you.
Teach us to be a people who continue to proclaim the hope of the gospel. Help us to be a light in a world filled with despair, pointing people to the cross. Transform our hearts, our city, nation and world so more may know and worship you. Amen.
Diving Deeper
What emotions does this Psalm evoke in you? What experiences or people in your life does it connect with?
How does the descriptive lament (v.3-5) and accusatory lament (v.6-9a) connect with the way you pray?
Read through the three cries of the Psalmist (v.1, 9 & 13). What are the common themes? What do they teach us about who God is?
How is v.1 truly Good News? How does it connect with Christ?
How can we live closer WITH GOD in our lives?
How are we being TRANSFORMED to be more like Christ?
How is the Holy Spirit empowering us to imitate Christ in what we DO this week?