Scripture: Psalm
66:8–20
This psalm seems to have been written as a word of
encouragement while going through difficult times. It reminds the reader that
God uses the sufferings of life and leads his people through them for their
blessing. It is God’s faithfulness during difficulty and his drawing his people
through it that leads the psalmist to praise and worship God. It urges his
people to remember God’s past faithfulness and encourages them to trust him in
their current distress. We too can use this psalm to call out to God in our
times of trouble and be reminded that God is faithful and answers our prayers.
Teaching
The portion of the psalm which is appointed begins with a
call to bless God, but then reminds the reader that God tested his people. He
speaks of silver, reminding of the fire that tests the purity of precious
metals. It speaks of the net, burdens on backs, and men riding, which imagines
God’s people as animals being trained for domestic uses. None of this sounds
pleasant. Indeed, it sounds very frustrating, painful, and even frightening.
But we note that God brought his people out to a place of abundance. God brings
his people through suffering to a place where we see that he has kept his
promises – either in this life or in heaven.
Verse 16 of the psalm is a picture of God’s people sharing
their hope with one another. “Come and hear, all you who fear God….” And what
does the psalmist speak of? Remembering his trials he recalls prayers, and God’s
answer. We trust that God answers our prayers and that he never removes his
love from us, and we remind one another of that in this psalm.
Life
We all face troubles in life. Life is full of pains and
sorrows. Yet we should not see these are useless or wholly evil. God can and
does use the difficult times of our lives to bring us to a better place than we
were before. That could mean that he deepens our faith or understanding. It
might mean that we actually move from one place to another. I could even mean
bringing us home to Glory having faithfully guided us through this life.
Whatever your circumstances remember that God is in the midst of the bad times
as well as the good to shape you, form you, and bring you someplace better than
you were before.
Prayer is also a common part of our lives. We should not
neglect this gift. God has blessed so that we are permitted to speak to him and
pour out our cares and needs before his throne. What a privilege! What is more,
he answers our prayers and acts for our benefit. Does that not lead you to
bless our God?
Prayer
Use Psalm 66:8-20 to guide your prayer today. Pray that the
Holy Spirit would help you rejoice in the gift of prayer. Pour out your
troubles to God and ask him to lead you through them to a better place which
you might experience physically or spiritually.
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