Psalm 60

It is a challenge to hear stories of abundance and joy when you are lonely or facing severe difficulties. If this is your story today, you do not need to pretend that everything is alright. Bring your honest lament before God. He hears the cries of the afflicted.

“O God, you have rejected us.” These are the sincere words of a troubled Israelite. They sound improper to the religious ear. But then what can we say about the cry of the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah 49:4, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing.” Or who can forget His words from the cross (quoted from Psalm 22): “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

The truth is sometimes complex. God has not utterly rejected His Israel. Yet who knows what to say to the deeply troubled people of the Lord when it would appear that all is lost? In all situations we want to keep talking to God and we want the conversation to be honest.

God does use His enemies to discipline His beloved children. Yet the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. Therefore we have courage to add to our lament this good request: “Oh, restore us!”

When the whole land or even a solitary life is shaken, we can only turn to the One who said in Haggai 2:6, “Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land.” We recall the next verse as well, “And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts.” If the Lord has made the land to quake, He can also repair its breaches.

God has set up a banner in Jesus Christ to those who are suffering. He understands what it is to be alone, to be in pain, to be without clothing or shelter, to be hungry and thirsty, to grieve, and to wonder how long it will all last. He did all this, and was also without sin. The suffering servants of God can flea to the One great Suffering Servant. You will not find Him today as a baby laying in a feeding trough, though it is so good to celebrate His birth. He is not on a cross, though there is glory in that for those who have eyes to see what He accomplished there. His body is not dead in a borrowed grave anymore. Today, as foretold in Isaiah 11:10, “His resting place shall be glorious.” These words have been fulfilled. He who suffered far more than we have, inhabits the highest glories of heaven, and He also dwells in the praises of His people. He will hear you when you cry to Him. He is able to sympathize with all who suffer. His beloved ones will be delivered soon. He will answer us and will give salvation by His mighty right hand.

In days of old, He fulfilled His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, giving them the land of Canaan. Now He has gone way beyond this as He foretold so long ago in Isaiah 49:6. “"It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

God has done this by the Jewish Messiah. It is time for His people to find Him again. Imagine... The Law and the Prophets were right! The Suffering Servant has come and won an eternal victory for His suffering servants. Isn't it obvious by now that the Jewish prophets that foretold this worldwide victory of the Servant of the Lord were correct? Why should the Jews be left out of this celebration, when Egyptians and Iraqis are finding life in Him? It is time to take “Yes” for an answer. The Lord's suffering children will see Him who was pierced for us, and they will find Him who has loved us with an everlasting love.

He has not utterly rejected us. Sometimes it just feels that way, but the facts do not bear out that conclusion as God's last word to us. He will keep His covenant love forever. His cross is an undeniable badge of His determination to fulfill every promise made to His people in His Word. He who has defeated sin and death will bring you help against every formidable foe. Even now, He will bring you a little hope, and will revive your wounded soul. Trust in Him. He will heal. He will bless.