October 15, Bitter Trouble

Today’s reading: Psalms 71-75

“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up” - Psalm 71:20.

Once again we turn to the topic of suffering and trouble, a common theme throughout both the book of Psalms and this devotional. The title of Psalm 71 does not indicate that David wrote it, but it certainly sounds like him as we have seen other verses that he wrote that are similar to today’s. The psalmist had great hope that God would restore his fortunes and took consolation in that fact. Paul also carried this same hope through his own trials and tribulations when he wrote,

Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you (2 Thessalonians 1:4-6).

Are you experiencing many bitter troubles? Can you keep your eye on the future, and thank God for when they will end and things will be back to “normal”? Can you even trust that God will “take care of” those who have made trouble for you?