Thoughts for another day

October 7, 2008.

Today's verse: Ps. 22:11. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

At times, we are so weighed down by our burdens, that death seems more welcome than life. In a ‘Job’ like situation, we wonder just as he did, why were didn’t die at birth (Ch. 3:11). If you have gone through it, you know what I am talking about. The pain before us, never seems to end and the weight grows heavier with each day.

Many men of God have gone through such affliction and a few have reformed to follow the Lord whole-heartedly because of the process. In Ps. 22, the first half represents vividly, the pain David underwent because of which the psalm came to be. As you read, you sense the extent of his soul’s grief. Even Jesus, God Himself, underwent dreadful pain. The psalm is a future ode for Jesus which He echoes when He utters, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?’ Jesus bore the pain stoically because He knew His father would accomplish what He set out to do.

If one were to look at pain, as long as it doesn’t happen to self, one is okay. Actually, most don’t understand, why pain should be borne. Great philosophers tried answering the question, coming up with things like, ‘I suffer, therefore I know I exist’ etc. but there is no ray of comfort there, because when in pain, even great knowledge is vain. All put together, there’s no escaping pain and the Bible says that God chastises the one He loves. For us, there is meaning in pain, because we are lead by One who suffered, not for Himself, but for the sake of humanity, however undeserving and ungrateful.

Yet in all this, we must realize that our recourse has to be God, no matter what the pain. There could be isolation because of pain but our plea to God has to be the same as in the words above. My friend, there is so much consolation when tears roll down the eyes and the heart cries out saying, ‘my God, don’t go far from me for great is my trouble and there is no one I can turn to, except You.’ In such prayer will the silent, gentle voice of the Most High resound, consoling and healing from inside.