Trusting During Suffering
Issues – April 2021 – Grace & Truth Magazine
Trusting During Suffering
But I confided [trusted] in Thee, Jehovah; I said, Thou art My God. — Psalm 31:14 JND
It is beneficial for the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ to read the Psalms. A quiet meditation of this beautiful one before us will reveal the deep sufferings and afflictions the Son of Man passed through. The Psalms tell us what took place in the heart of the Lord Jesus when He was here on earth. His inner feelings are brought out. They show how much He suffered, not only at the cross but throughout His entire, spotless life. His holy person was so touched by what surrounded Him that He could say, “My life is spent with sorrow, and My years with sighing” (v.10).
Only the Lord knows the depth and extent of our sufferings, although they cannot be compared with what He suffered. What a blessing to know that He has passed through the same trials we do, yet without sin. In all our afflictions He was afflicted. We are greatly privileged to know the One who can truly enter into our circumstances. He is able to sympathize as no one else can. The name of this Man is Jesus!
Our psalm shows the confidence, or trust, the Lord had in the One who had sent Him. Before the trials and afflictions were listed in Psalm 31, the triumphant sound of faith was proclaimed: “In Thee, Jehovah, do I trust ... deliver Me in Thy righteousness” (v.1). This is the language of a troubled soul who looks up and sees the One who is above all – the One who is able to deliver!
What immense lessons we can learn from the life and the inner feelings of the Lord Jesus, recorded for us in the precious book of Psalms.
By Klaas Rot
Love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful ... Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord. — Psalm 31:23-24 NKJV