Psalm 102

The writer of this psalm is anonymous and probably wrote it long after the destruction of Jerusalem. The psalmist was afflicted and faint and burdened to present his complaint to the LORD. He was groaning in distress and weeping over the ruins of Jerusalem. His opening prayer draws from a number of other psalms, giving us an example of what it means to pray the Word of God.

The longer we live, the more evidence we see that things will change. How true the quote "There is nothing permanent except change." John F. Kennedy paraphrased, "Everything changes, but change itself." There are the normal changes of life, from birth to maturity to death. There are also providential changes taht God sends for our good and His glory.

Things had changed for the Israelites and they will certainly change for you and me. Judgment can come into our lives when we are disobedient. Suffering comes when we have no explanation. "Even tho' He were a Son, yet He learned obedience through His suffering." He Who had no sin, suffered...how can we possibly think we should not!? Whether we are suffering because of our sine, or because we stand up for the Lord, or simply because we need to be better equipped for service, these changes are not pleasant.

The psalmist recorded his personal plight in a series of vivid pictures. He described his awful condition to the Lord. He is moving about in a great "self-pity bath!"

One of the first steps toward personal peace and victory is to accept the fact that there will be changes in life, and how we respond will determine what these changes do to us and for us. The psalmist responded to his pity party with a response of TURNING TO THE LORD!

We move with him to a new focus..."But You, O Lord..." He turned from self and feelings to faith.

Whether in chastizement or in blessing, the Lord shows His love and faithfulness! In our affliction, God loves us! When we suffer with our children, we need to remember that God loves our children so much more than we do or possibly can. READ II Cor. 4:17

When focusing on the changeless character of God we will discontinue being concerned about dying early as the psalmist did. WE must remember the future generations as he did. Be concerned about God's work on eath and the future generations who will serve Him after we are gone. May the future not weep because we have not been faithful. As Steve Green sang, "Let Those Who Come Behind Us Find Us Faithful!"

Change your focus from self pity and self concern to focus on the heavenly Father and His realiability!!!