I call Psalm 102 “The ‘Me’, ‘My’, ‘I’, Psalm”, or the “The
‘Oh Me’ Psalm”. The anonymous writer was someone who was suffering and felt
overwhelmed with personal sorrow. This psalm has a title, which indicates that
it was written as a prayer of someone who is “afflicted” and “overwhelmed” and
simply wants to pour out his “troubles and complaints” to the LORD. As
believers face and deal with the painful crises that come to us, we must keep several
things in mind if we are to overcome and glorify God.
First, in verses 1-11, we must learn to accept and respond
properly to the changing circumstances of life. Second, in verses 12-22, we
need to remember the unchanging covenant of God. You might have noticed as you
read these first 11 verses that the psalmist only mentioned the LORD (Jehovah)
once and that was in the first verse when he cried out, “Hear my prayer, O
LORD.” But when you read verses 12-22, he has changed his outlook as he
turned from himself and his problems to behold by faith the LORD enthroned in
heaven. In these verses he mentions the LORD (Jehovah) seven different times.
We live in a changing world filled with conflict,
confusion, corruption, and violence all around us. As we are overwhelmed with
the news of the war in Israel, the conflict and war in Ukraine, and the
violence and unrest even in our city streets in America, we can’t help but feel
tension, anger, anxiousness, and a sense of insecurity and despondency. The
scripture teaches us that in the “last days” it will be like it was in the days
of Noah. But in a world that is constantly changes we need to know that we have
a God who does not change!
That is what the psalmist does in these verses. He
remembers Jehovah, the LORD, which is the personal covenant name of God to His
people Israel. Yes, the throne of David was gone and would not be claimed until
the Son of David came to earth (Luke 1:30-33), but the throne of God in heaven
was secure. Judah and Jerusalem were experiencing shame, but God's
"memorial name" of great renown would not change.
In verse 15, one day the nations would respect that name, and
praise that name in a new Jerusalem (v. 21). From generation to generation, His
people had known and revered that name and Jehovah had not failed them, but
they failed the LORD. He had made a wonderful covenant with His people which
you can read about in Leviticus 25-26 and Deuteronomy 28-30, and He had not
changed it. He promised if His people obeyed His law, He would bless them, but
if they disobeyed and turned to idols, He would chasten them. Either way, He
would show His love and faithfulness.
In Genesis 12:2-3, the LORD had made an unconditional
covenant with Abraham. God told Abraham, “I will make you a great nation; I
will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will
bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all
the families of the earth shall be blessed." My friend, God has kept this agreement, this
covenant with Abraham and the people of Israel for four-thousand years!
Today, God has made a faithful covenant with His believers
through Jesus Christ Who never changes. Read verses 12-22 and look up to Jehovah,
the Great I Am, and be encouraged today. Then read Romans 8:35-39 and remember
that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus!
God bless!
