Psalm 120:1-7
Peace in the midst of distress.
Have you ever been greatly distressed when it gets to your hearing what someone said about you? There are many such things that cause us great discomfort and unhappiness. Often, these troubles are unexpected and may come through people who are envious or jealous of us or who are angry with us for whatever reason.
At such times, such people may go about gossiping, spreading rumours, and saying things about you, which even if true, could hurt you, damage your reputation or result in much pain to you. At other times, people may directly insult, threaten or even physically attack you. Such experiences are always painful. Sound familiar?
I am pretty confident that this is the kind of scenario the psalmist may have found himself in this chapter. In verse 1 he acknowledged his suffering and anxiety before God and he wept. To be so treated is bad; to treat others that way is worse and carries grave consequences just like verse 4 described it. Herein lies a real warning for us to disengage from such lifestyle.
The psalmist said also in verse 7 that he was a man of peace, but lived where he was exposed to great personal challenges in verses 5 and 6. The question you might ask is; what took him there? What guides your choice of where you live or visit? Did God answer his prayers? Isn't it very comforting to know that God knows how we feel and gives us peace when we call upon him? God can be trusted to give us peace even when we have made wrong choices.
It would be so wonderful if God would simply promise us that we would never go through difficult times. But we do go through great and terrible difficulties all of the time, and God constantly warns us of these dangers and difficulties in His Holy Word. 1 Peter chapter 4:12 says; “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”
I enjoyed singing this hymn whenever I am going through challenges in my life:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
A word to reflect: How will you now respond to people who make your life miserable? If you are unsure how to respond, a good way to begin is to talk to God just like the psalmist did.
Shalom!