Read Psalm 25:15-22. 15My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. 16Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. 18Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. 19Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. 20Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21May integrity and uprightness reserve me, for I wait for you. 22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Suffering always attacks us on two levels. The external level and the internal level. We don’t know exactly which external struggle David is facing here, but we can see it described as violent foes and a net that seeks to capture and even destroy him. David’s external circumstance has left him alone and afflicted.
But in addition to our external suffering there is always internal suffering. David describes these as troubles of the heart and distresses. David is also asking for forgiveness of his sins, an internal battle if ever there was one.
Are you able to distinguish between your external suffering and your internal suffering? This is important because most of our suffering is done internally, and our internal suffering is the one we can actually control. There’s nothing wrong with asking God to change your external suffering. David did (deliver me!), and even Jesus did for a second. But the truth is that suffering usually means having to wait our way through it. And how we wait, if we wait with integrity and uprightness, can both decrease our internal suffering and increase our hope.
How do we do this? By taking refuge in Christ. By finding him to be or source of hope, integrity, and righteousness. A source that will never run dry and can never be put to shame.
To live is Christ is to face suffering from the fortress of Christ’s life united to our own. His integrity. His uprightness. His glory. His obedience. His eternal life and love. All ours no matter what the circumstance.
Prayer. Jesus, I know I will face external suffering, but help me to entrust my internal soul to you and wait within the refuge of your love for your return.
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To Live is Christ 