Psalm 102 -- Assurances When Change Is Coming

This psalm has layers like an onion.  It’s easy to see a man praying who has witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity.  But we can also see Jesus hanging on the cross calling out to God in verses 1-11.  Hebrews 1:8-12 quotes this as God answering Jesus and the Holy Spirit seems to be showing us about His millennial reign in 15-17 and 21-22.  We can see Jesus again in 19-20 and 23-24, with God responding to Him in 25-27.

My commentary then brings it back to us, saying, “As believers face and deal with the painful crises that come to us, if we are to overcome and glorify God, we must keep three assurances before us.”  They are:

There is nothing permanent but change on this earth.

God’s covenant has not changed.

God’s character is changeless.

We therefore can look to Him and hold fast when change overwhelms us.

Part of the changes we see occurring are “providential changes that God sends for our good and His glory.”  It’s important that we understand that how we respond will determine what those changes do to us and for us.  Often it involves a settling in our own hearts to the assurance that though our prayers may not be answered in our lifetimes, we know the answer will come, and our prayers may help produce the faith which future generations of our family will need to serve him long after we are gone.

Father, give me steadfastness in my prayers.  Thank You for helping me see today that Your purposes will be fulfilled in Your timing, and it may be Your will that I won’t see the answer to my prayers this side of heaven, but I will be able to see those answers on the other side.  Thank You for Your faithfulness to me!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford