An Inkling of Trust

O. T. #1293  "An Inkling of Trust"
Sept. 26, 2018
Psalm 88

LET IT GLOW

An inkling of trust-you may wonder what it is. It's an expression I have heard used years ago. It is a real word, though I considered it a slang all this time.
Webster Dictionary defines inkling as a slight indication or suggestion; hint; clue; a slight knowledge or vague notion.
 
I think today's psalmist had an inkling of trust in God, despite his situation.
Where are you today, friend, spiritually speaking? Perhaps you are there yourself, or know someone there-down in the pit, in the dark, hit rock bottom, knocked over by waves of troubles, feel alone and deserted by friends, cried a river of tears, or have hidden your face from the world. Today's psalmist was there.

Mercy, whatever has this psalmist there, whether it be sickness or injury, He assumes God is angry with him, allowing such things to happen to him. Although this one does not understand why he is in the pit, he does turn to God with a slight inkling of trust. (Sounds like Job.)
(Maybe it can help us understand when someone else is there and help them.)

What is going on in the psalmist's life? Lydia Brownback gives us some insight in her book, sing a New Song, a Woman's Guide to the Psalms:

• The man cries out day and night for relief. (verses 1-2)
• He likens his suffering to the approach of death. (verses 3-5)
• Worst of all, he feels deserted by God, and so great is his anguish that his friends can't help him; they can no longer bear even to be around him. (verses 8, 18)
• The psalmist knows God controls everything that happens, so he recognizes that ultimately God is the source of his suffering. (verses 6-8, 16, 18)
• He feels abandoned by God because, despite his ceaseless please, he can't "find" God when he calls to Him. (verse 14)

Do we know anyone battling cancer, facing the death of a family member, dealing with children gone astray into a sinful lifestyle, dealing daily with suffering? As I take a look around me, I can find people in those situations, hurting. WE may not be able to fix it for them, but we can walk along side them with support and prayers.


LET IT GROW

When there is no relief in sight, God understands  even our deepest misery. Praying the psalms teaches us to bring God everything about us and trains us to  experience His presence even when our feelings tell us otherwise. (Life Application Study Bible)

Tell it to Him, dear one. Although this psalm gives no answers or an expression of hope, they are there. God promises to never leave us nor forsake us, in Hebrews 13:6.

We read in Psalm 86:15 that God is full of compassion, gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
Also, we need to allow time for healing of grief, depression, and suffering. We may not see the complete picture as of yet, but God does. He has a purpose for our good to be worked within us. There is healing for the brokenhearted. We can be a prayer pardoner for someone going through tough times. Will we?

LET IT GO

Have an inkling of trust in Jesus.