Often when I am writing this Friday Blast, I have already formulated the thoughts for the blog of the day. That’s not the case right now. Today, my prayer is that my thoughts will clarify as I type. I know where I want us to go in the Bible today for encouragement, and my hope and prayers to God is that I can help your soul, and mine, in these latter days. My Sunday morning sermon title last week was “In Times Like These.” For several days now, I have thought about that title and how I chose it. I had been in hospitals and homes during the weeks that preceded the sermon. I had watched nonsense in our country as well as things internationally. Troubles and heart-aches come to everyone but it seems that during certain seasons of life those life weights become more crushing. When things are going wonderfully, we have all the answers for any and all situations. But then…
The great theologian and heavy-weight boxing champion Mike Tyson made a saying famous back in 1987. His quote was “Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the mouth.” That little saying of his is humorous, but there’s also a whole bunch of truth in it. Many of our church family have troubles that have already arrived and already know more suffering is closing in on them. It may be recent or upcoming surgeries, wayward children, or a hundred other things. These saints are right now looking at the scoreboard in their lives. The HPS Team is killing them and a rally is needed and soon. (HPS are the initials for Hurt, Pain, and Suffering.) For others, that punch in the mouth hasn’t happened, but it will… often unexpectedly.
As I write today and muse, I think about descriptions the Bible says about these times in which we find ourselves. II Timothy 3 talks about times of great difficultly and gives a long list of behaviors in our culture today. Matthew 24 speaks about a time when if it were possible that even the saved will be deceived. But for our actual text today, and for our soul’s medicine, I want you to think about Psalm 42. It is called a Maschil in the title. That word means it is a “teaching or an instruction.” Psalm 43 is a companion to today’s Psalm. Some scholars think it was written by a wandering Levite who was discouraged. He longed for the city of Jerusalem and the Temple but it was so far away. Others think David wrote it when his own son, Absalom, betrayed him and was trying to kill him. I personally think it was Hezekiah, the King of Judah. The fierce Assyrian Army that had crushed everything and everyone in its path was now sitting outside the city of Jerusalem. In his mind, it was only a matter of time until the walls were breached, the men butchered, the women raped, and the youth taken into captivity. It was an awful time for Hezekiah and his people. He was also suffering major health issues. He had to be separated from the people because of his personal illness. Let me share with you three things about the times he was facing and the things you and I are facing or will face.
1. He was a man Cut off from Others. The psalm begins with a picture we all can see in our minds. “As the hart (a deer) panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my heart after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God, when shall I come and appear before God.” (v.1-2). The hunters and their dogs have been chasing relentlessly and the deer is exhausted. Hezekiah feels this way. Because of his illness he’s been cut off from people, which means he can’t come to the Temple. He can’t be with the people of God that he’s always known. Hezekiah sees the domino’s falling in his mind and knows that the people he loves are about to have their lives turned upside down by the Assyrians when they breach that wall. He is longing for God to be there with him. (Let me drop this in right now. I have stopped writing because a father, husband, Christian is about to have a major surgery. He isn’t a member of the church, but he is a friend of mine and a family member of one of our families. Three surgeons will be in the room; each one doing a specific portion of the surgery. I promised to pray for him so I’m doing it right now. Life punched ime and his family in the face.)
2. He was a man that looked for Courage. If you read v. 4-8, you’ll find he began to remember the way it used to be when he had lesser times of need, yet God still saved and raised him up. His soul is now being crushed but he remembers the wonderful times at that house of God with the people of God and the encouragement they gave to each other. He remembers being in the land of Jordan. That means the Jordan River. Many scholars think he was saved from drowning while up in the northern part of Jordan near the mountains of Herman, near Mizar. He remembers long nights when the song of God was with him at a time when the pain is hardest. Remembering the victories from God can help us.
3. He was a man that Concluded some Things. In the last three verses of this maschil, he came to certain conclusions. I have concluded myself to also do this, while praying when you also have hurt arrive, you’ll do the same. One. “I will talk to God, my rock…” v.9. I will be honest with God in my prayers. I will ask the Lord why, where, what, and when. But talking with God first, foremost and always will be the plan without bitterness toward my sweet Lord. Two. “I will praise him.” V.11. When Paul and Silas were chained in the Philippian jail at midnight, they sang praises to God. God allows things to step into our lives, things we would never choose, yet they happen. I see today and hope for a better tomorrow, but God sees every tomorrow, so I trust Him even when what arrives is a punch in the mouth. My soul’s hope is God. When my soul and countenance is cast down, I will go to the Lord as I have always done and will continue to do just like Hezekiah.
How did things end for Hezekiah? The barbarians at the gate met a fate they never imagined. The angel of the Lord massacred 185,000 soldiers in one night. When the Lord had told Hezekiah to put his house in order he was going to die, he prayed, and God gave him another 15 years. The financial problems you are struggling with, trust God. The family issues you are being overwhelmed with, trust God. The health problems you or a family member is experiencing, trust God. When that punch comes, trust God, and He will give you joy unspeakable and full of glory.