How did the psalmist describe God’s position regarding His people (v. 2)?
“He surrounds them/us, like the mountains surround Jerusalem.”
What do these verses say about God’s help and sustaining presence?
Psalm 34:7 “He encamps around and delivers those who fear Him.” Psalm 139:5 “He is in front and behind; His hand is on us.”
Now read the wonderful prophetic vision God gave the prophet Zachariah regarding Jerusalem in Zachariah 2:3-5. How did God describe Himself in verse 5?
“A wall of fire around Jerusalem and its glory within.”
Read Psalm 34:17-19 and record everything you learn about God’s help.
“He hears, He delivers, He is close and saves, He delivers from many troubles.”
God never promised to remove us from human experience… ‘it is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God.’
‘On our way into the kingdom,’ God’s absolute priority is relationship. Carefully read Psalm 116:1-7. What were the first words out of the psalmist’s mouth?
“‘I love the Lord (YHWH)’”
Why did he love the Lord so much (vv. 1-2)? “He heard him.”
Describe the seriousness of the psalmist’s circumstances (v. 3). “He felt strangled by death and overwhelmed by trouble and sorrow.”
Even after being allowed to endure overwhelming anguish, how did the psalmist describe God (vv. 5-6)? “gracious, righteous, full of compassion, protecting, and saving”
Review verse 7 and compare it with a specific petition in Psalm 125:4, our present Psalm of Ascent. What is the theme of both verses? “The Lord is good, especially to His own beloved.”
OK, let’s confront the bottom line. How can we say God has been good to us when He has allowed us to encounter trouble and sorrow? Share your honest thoughts.
“Of course troubles suck, but when they arise, I turn to God. When things are going fine I forget to spend time with him some days, and I rely on myself more.”
I’m not nearly as prone to give God praise when I have no idea what near–miss I just experienced. Let something deadly almost happen and I am in full–throttle dialogue with my ever-present God.
God keeps his people safe from the prowling lion by encircling us with a crown of thorns.
“So, by that metaphor, some/many of our pains are self-inflicted as we stray outside of God’s protected area and push against our boundaries.”
Dearest Rachel –
I suppose that in some ways, what I’ve been going through since you had to leave would be considered the proverbial “proof of the pudding,” as far as my trust in God and His plan is concerned. Somehow, I don’t know if it speaks well of me. I’ve had people come to me and tell me how inspiring it was to see Daniel and me in church the morning after it happened, but to be honest, that was more out of the sheer force of habit (and the fact that we were awake at that hour, despite having been up until around three talking to the hospital, organ donation people, and whatnot, about your health history and the preferred disposition of your body) than any actual worshipful spirit. I can’t speak for Daniel, but I will admit to being far more numb than reverent at that time – and ever since.
I’m not – and never have been, I don’t think – angry at God. If this was His timing for you, what can I do about it? You’ve seen me talk about how I know you wouldn’t want to leave where you are, so I can’t wish for that even if I could. It’s been driven home to me how little this current life matters – even if I am trying to improve myself and my surroundings, for reasons that literally only He understands at this point (I certainly don’t)
At the same time, I won’t say I’m exactly on speaking terms with Him very often, either. What do I say anymore? What do I ask for? And what am I expecting Him to say or do in response? Daniel thought, for a hot moment afterward, that God would miraculously raise you, literally from the ashes, but even as I agreed that He was capable of that (after all, He’s God – He’s capable of anything), I tried to make it clear that “He doesn’t work that way,” which I suppose is putting Him in a box He doesn’t fit in, but considering He’s never done such a thing before; why would He make an exception for you?
As for putting people in boxes, I’ve never before thought before of the analogy of a thornbush surrounding us – and your additional conclusion that suffering can quite often be attributed to our pushing the boundaries, and winding up in those self-same thorns raised up to protect us (interesting, too, that you list so many of us, your loved ones, as being thus encircled by His crown of thorns like this protective hedge). Then again, to ascribe your departure to it being a consequence of your action or mine is the road to madness – or at best, a Job-and-his-“friends” type of dialogue, which neither resolves nor concludes anything. Even God Himself didn’t give him an answer as to the ‘why’ of his suffering.
Although, I suppose he was still held up as righteous, even given the fact that he never relinquished his complaints (he repented of demanding an answer of God, but I don’t think he was rebuked for lamenting his pain). I don’t know if I’m at that point yet, honey; given that I’d like a more tangible conversation with Him, I don’t know if I’ll ever be suitably conversant with the Lord until I join you. Do I feel His love? I don’t know. I don’t think He’s abandoned me (to be honest, I don’t think He can – not that I speak of something that’s so much impossible for God, as it’s simply not in His nature), but I don’t sense His presence all that much.
But I suppose that’s more on me than on Him.
Anyway, as always, keep an eye on me, honey, and wish me luck. I’m going to need it.
Letters to Rachel 