In this Psalm hear from the Psalmist in deep depression. He exclaims, “For my soul is full of troubles…” It sounds like the old Spiritual song, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen. Nobody knows my sorrow.” The troubles and pains of the writer, has caused him to bring his questions to God. Don’t we all do that? Don’t we ask God “why” a lot? Verse 14 says, “O LORD, why do you cast my soul away?”
The Bible teaches us that God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Is. 55:8-9). God’s wisdom is infinite, and He possesses total knowledge. Our knowledge is faulty and limited. I like Ruth Graham’s poem about her “whys” that she asks God.
I lay my “whys” before Your Cross in worship kneeling,
my mind too numb for thought, my heart beyond all feeling.
And worshipping realize that I,
In knowing You don’t need a “why.”
I remember reading of a pastor who visited a sick friend. The friend said, “I was involved in all the good things and serving Him in so many ways. I can’t understand why God has put me on my back.” The Pastor answered maybe he put you on your back because he just wanted you to look up!”
Chuck
“Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.” (Psalm 86:11)