"You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again." 71/20ps.
There was once a sorrowing psalmist who'd seen "great and severe troubles" (Ps. 71:20) up close and personal. But deep down inside, He knew there was One who could "revive" him and take all that sorrow away. In there original language, this word literal means "bring him to life again." Have you ever seen much too much and then afterwards just felt dead inside? A lot of military vets return from the battlefield feeling this way. I have two sons who together have seen five tours of duty in Iraq and I want you to know that Jesus Christ can heal, restore, and revive. He can even raise the dead, both spiritually and physically for He is the same yesterday, today and forever. And He can handle all the sorrow that you feel at times, that so quickly seems so overwhelming. Yes, He can give you joy again.
The Psalmist went on to say, "(You shall) bring me up again from the depths of the earth (the grave). You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side" (vv.20-21). My dear cousin Scott just died at age 43 of cancer and they haven't even buried him yet. I'm convinced that he wants no one praying for him to be raised from the dead right now, for he is in such a uber-wonderful spot. His dad passed on a few years ago and his brother Todd also passed away in his early 40s. We miss them.
We are praying for his mom, Wendy, now and the entire Haigh family so that they will know comfort like never before. Scott recently told my dad that he was a praying believer and now at this time all his premature, hard and painful troubles are gone as he stands there in his Father's glorious welcoming embrace. Have you made your reservations for this trip in advance?
The faithful Apostle Paul and many others killed for Jesus' sake come to my mind. They were ready in advance. Hey, if the the things that cause you great sorrow don't end in this lifetime, they certainly will in heaven if you know Jesus personally (Read John 3 in the Bible). It can happen to you. Christ is the only One who can save you, and erase all the sorrows of this fallen world.
Perhaps no one down here on earth knows all the trouble that you've seen, but God does and this short period of time here is not all that shall be. Please be ready for the Rapture of the Church or the grave. Simply turn, confess, and ask for Christ forgiveness and joy while this is now fresh on your mind. Don't put it off, for none of us are promised the privilege of aging or even the gift of tomorrow.
In context, I'm currently lookin' at: "Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you." ~ Jesus 16/22jn.
"Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 15/10lk.
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." 15/11jn.
"Then the seventy returned with joy.." 10/17lk.
"And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great JOY.." 24/52lk.
Would you like some joy today free of charge? When was the last time that you asked God for His joy etc? He loves you and He loves to give to His children. Do you need a refill of His Spirit? You know that He has abundant life for each of us. Are you willing to walk with the Savior not merely as a believer, but also as His disciple? He wants to be both Savior and Lord for you because He cares for you and those around you. facebook.com/shareJesus
