As a group, we have been studying Psalm 119. Psalm 119 is divided into sections under each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, or "aleph-bet", as it is also known. Two of the sections we recently studied were under the letters yod, and kaph. Interestingly enough, both of these letters mean "hand", but in different ways. Both sections, one following another, deal with similar things, but, again, in very different ways. This made me curious, so I thought and studied about it. Why would there be two similar sections in this Psalm, both under letters that mean "hand"? I know it is not by accident, nor coincidence. So this is the path that I followed through this study.
The first section we look at is Psalm 119:73-80. This section is under the letter yod. This letter means hand, but a fisted hand. It implies power, and strength. This letter is also the first letter of the name of God, which according to Jewish practice, is not to be spoken, YHWY. The tone of this section of Psalm 119, is appealing to God to deal with the enemies that have unrighteously persecuted this person. This section in my Bible is captioned "Confidence in the Law". The Psalmist is confident that the LORD will deal strongly (the hand as a fist) with his enemies to defend him.
The next section of Psalm 119 are the verses 81-88, and is under the letter kaph. This letter also means hand, but an outspread, open hand. This section in my Bible is captioned "A Longing for Comfort". And while the same issues are mentioned, the unfair persecution by a proud enemy, the tone is very different. It's as if the same person is speaking in both sections, but a period of time has passed between the experience of the first section, and the second. The psalmist starts out confidently, but after time passes with no relief, he is speaking from a different condition.
He describes his present condition in the following manner:
"My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word."
"My eyes fail from searching Your word, saying, "When will You comfort me."
"For I have become like a wineskin (or bottle) in smoke, yet I do not forget Your statutes."
Psalm 119:81-83
There are several "When" questions asked of God in this section: "When will You comfort me?", and "When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?" (v. 84). There is the direct, desperate cry, "Help me!" (v. 86), in this section. The tone of confidence found in the first section, under the hand as a fist, is beginning to change into puzzlement and desperation in the second section under the outspread, open hand, the hand of supplication, even though the circumstances are the same.
In the second section, the psalmist tells God that changes have happened in his soul, spirit (eyes), and body. The root word of the word soul used here means rest, refreshing breath. The psalmist feels his soul can no longer find rest, and does not have the refreshing breath any longer. His eyes, meaning spiritual insight, spring, or fountain, are drying and changing. His body (wineskin) is even feeling the effects of his affliction. He is not the same as he was when he began in these circumstances that are trying him.
In the first section, the psalmist tells us that it is God who has afflicted Him:
"I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me." (V. 75).
This thought causes a problem for many of us. We can easily understand that our enemy can, and does, afflict us, but it is much more difficult to understand that our Father, who loves us, is afflicting us. On top of this, the psalmist tells us that the Father afflicts us because He is faithful, which is even more perplexing. Many cannot fit this concept into their belief, or doctrine, but those who reject this concept, or try to escape this concept, are really doing themselves a disservice spiritually. Though the affliction is a startling way to be dragged into spiritual maturity, it is very necessary, particularly living in the End Times, as we do today. I can explain why I am saying this, from what I found as I continued my path of study into the New Testament.
Something is created in us out of the affliction, the unrighteous persecution, the tribulation, that the psalmist refers to in these passages from Psalm 119, above.
Romans 5:3-5 says, "...we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope, and hope maketh not ashamed..." The Amplified Bible puts these verses this way: "Moreover (let us also be full of joy now), let us exult and triumph in our troubles, and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure, and affliction, and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance."
James 1:2-4 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations (adversity, affliction, trouble sent by God to test or prove one's character, faith, holiness). Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
There are many more New Testament references to the quality of patience, and the fact that this quality only comes from passing through the difficulties that can cause us such pain.
Many changes come to us spiritually, and in every way, by the reading of the Word, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, but the creation of patience in us must be accomplished through experience, rather than hearing or studying only. The experience can be painful, and long-term, and we recognize as we go through it that we are changing, as the psalmist revealed. The changes are deep, and life affecting. In every way, we are not the same as when we started. The scripture from James, above, tells us that we must make the decision to allow patience to do the work that is necessary in us. This work of patience brings us to a spiritual wholeness, or completeness, that we cannot attain without it. It is not just a case of "suffering through it", but we must make the choice to walk the path of patience, understanding, and choosing, what it accomplishes in us. The "path of least resistance" may be more popular, faster and smoother, but it accomplishes nothing in us spiritually.
Why is the quality of patience so necessary, that even our faithful God would afflict us (Ps. 119:75, above) in order to achieve it in us? Not only that, but it is to be a cause for rejoicing and celebration! (Rom. 5:3-5, above).
It very much appears that patience is a quality that will get us through the End Times. In fact, without it, we will not survive physically, nor spiritually. Jesus states this very directly when teaching His disciples about the persecution and tribulation to come:
"And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake. But there shall not a hair of your head perish. In your patience posses ye your souls." Lk. 21:17-19
Part of the meaning of the word "patience" in Greek is to keep steadfastness in faith and piety in even the greatest trials and sufferings, to remain, to abide, to not recede, nor flee.
If you are an individual, or church, presently being trained by God to patience, you have discovered that many flee this training. Many do not abide through the training. However, it is a faithful God who loved His people enough to train and equip them in this patience for survival. We flee this training at our own future peril and loss.
When I was born, MANY years ago, my foot was turned inward. The doctor told my mother that in order to walk when I got to the toddler age, I would need to wear a metal brace on that foot and ankle. In other words, I was lame. He told my mother that there was a possibility of turning the foot to a normal position by physically forcing the foot outward daily. This was in a time before physical therapy became a widely used, and recognized partner in medical treatment. So, in order to try and straighten that foot, my mother would twist my foot outward several times a day. As a new baby, this was painful for me, and I would scream and cry. My mother told me later that many times she would be crying with me while she did the foot twisting. My aunt, who lived upstairs, would sometimes come down when she heard me crying, and ask my mother how she could keep doing this. My mother told her "I do it because I have to do it. I want the child to be able to walk." My mother was not very happy to be questioned like this, because she certainly didn't enjoy doing this to her new baby. The end of the story is that the foot twisting worked, my foot began to straighten, and the foot and ankle were strong enough, and straight enough, for me to be able to walk normally when the time came.
I am thankful that my mother faithfully put me through those painful exercises, because they meant the difference between me being able to walk normally, or being lame for all my life. These exercises in patience are the same for our Father. He hears us crying, and perhaps He even cries with us, but He knows the fruit of the exercise will make all the difference in our lives. We may say, "But I don't want to go through the painful process of having my foot straightened." But then, we will be lame. We will not be able to endure the walk, nor run the race (with patience!). (Heb. 12:1)
The Book of Revelation instructs the people of God to patience seven times.
Scripture tells us that it is only through the acquiring of patience that we see the fulfillment of God's promises to us (Heb. 6:12-15, Heb. 10:35-39).
Patience is required as we near the return of our Lord, Jesus (James 5:7-8).
To most of us, patience is just a nice quality to have, but in the mind of God, patience is a requirement, a necessity, that will get us through the battle, and keep us alive to see the promises God has made to us fulfilled. He will do what is necessary to achieve that patience in us. Rejoice in that faithfulness of God to us. Yes, we will be changed through the experience. One of those changes will involve gaining something that we cannot gain any other way.
Our faithful Father trains us to patience.
"Psalm 23"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnKvXxGlJLI
"Praise You in the Storm"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB4eC55dh-U
"Waiting Here for You"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrr-7YA7cfM
"While I'm Waiting"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9DTwLOxzhE
note: art at the top of the page- William Blake's 1793 engraving for The Book of Job: "Job Rebuked by his Friends"
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