The set time to favor Zion will come

PSALM 102
his psalm is the prayer of the afflicted one. It flows very well with the woes of Job, as well as with the woes written by Jeremiah, called “The Lamentations.” This psalm shows us that when we are overwhelmed with afflictions and trials, we can pour out our hearts before the Lord and He will hear us.

The psalmist pours out his afflicted soul
unto the Lord and cries out for help. In times of trouble, it is wonderful to have the blessed assurance that the Lord’s ear is open to our cry, and that He not only hears us, but He will
respond quickly.

One of the constant themes of Scripture is that this life is very short and transitory. Moses
spoke of this in Psalm 90:9: “For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.” The message of John the Baptist was that “all flesh is as grass
and the grass withereth” (cf. Isa. 40:6-7). In this passage, the psalmist compares this life to smoke that passes away and vanishes. Job said that his days were “swifter than a weaver’s shuttle” (Job 7:6). Those who are more than a few decades old will surely agree that life passes by very quickly. It is essential that we heed the admonition of the Apostle Paul to redeem the time (Eph. 5:16). Make every minute count for eternity!

Days spent in sickness or sorrow seem like wasted time. In times of despair, even food loses its appeal. Our physical condition depends very much upon the spiritual condition of our heart. In the positive sense, a merry heart does good like a medicine, while a mourning heart is emaciated by grief.

To depict his sorrowful state, the psalmist
first uses the pelican, which is the epitome of mournful solitude and grief. Then he compares himself to an owl, which is an emblem of gloom, amongst other things. Thirdly, he likens himself to a sparrow, which loves to fly and
feed in flocks. However, when it is alone, it is quite different, resembling one who is in solitary vigil. Concerned by the attacks of a predator, the psalmist is forced to assume the role of the lone watchman. This is the pitiful state of the author at this time.

In the midst of all his trials, the psalmist also had to endure the calumnies of his enemies. They heaped ridicule and cruel mockings upon him in addition to all his physical afflictions. His adversaries took an oath to hasten his demise.

The psalmist tossed ashes upon himself, which was the typical action of mourners in the Middle East in days of yore, and the ashes fell into his food. When he ate they grated his teeth.Tears rolled down his face and into his cup as he drank. Such were the emotions stirred by the deep dealings of God in the life of the author of this psalm. God had elevated him to a position of honor as He had with Job, but then He brought him very low. As Job, he sat in abject despair.

This, beloved, is what is known as the dealings of God. Often we feel like the Lord has tossed us up and down like wheat. What is the purpose behind all these trials? The purpose is to separate all the chaff from our lives so that we are prepared and equipped for our eternal ministry.

The psalmist poetically describes his days as failing in strength and purpose. His strength and hope declined with each passing day.

The psalmist lifts his vision above his circumstances and contemplates the eternal Lord who always shines like the sun in spite of all the clouds, darkness, and despair. I often think of this when I am in an airplane. On ground level the sky looks dark and rainy, but once the airplane soars above the clouds, the sun is shining. Such is the case when we soar by the wings of prayer through the clouds of despondency into heaven’s joy, serenity, and peace.

God will remember and fulfill His promises to Zion, His elect. In the providence of the Lord, there is an appointed time in the annals of history for Him to visit His people with deliverance. Mourning does not last forever. The night gives way to the dawning of the sun. Winter is replaced by the new life of spring. There is light at the end of the tunnel, for the Lord will not cast us off forever (Lam. 3:31). God will remember Zion, the city that was destroyed by the Babylonians but later restored
at the set time in the days of Nehemiah.

The psalmist is looking forward to the great day of the Lord’s coming when He will come and deliver Israel from the armies of the heathen that will surround Jerusalem in the valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:12). The Lord’s feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives when He comes again (Zech. 14:4). These verses also reflect God’s great visitation to His Church
in the last days. When the Lord comes for His Church, it will be a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. It will be holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:27).

In verses 17-20, the psalmist reflects upon the compassion of God. The Lord hears the prayer of the poor and needy, and from His heavenly throne of glory He beholds the plight of the prisoners and releases them from the jaws of death. God is a God of comfort and compassion. Paul calls Him the “Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). These truths were recorded for a generation to come, for the Church. Those who will be created will show forth the praises of God (1 Pet. 2:9). The Lord will be glorified in Zion when He comes again, and all the kingdoms of the world will come to worship Him in Zion (Zech.14:16-19).

In conclusion, the psalm becomes veritably Messianic in nature.The Lord Jesus is pictured as the suffering Savior. Paul quotes these verses as referring to the Messiah (Heb. 1:10-
12). They should be studied in the context of Isaiah 53:10-11,where the thought is that after Christ has made His soul an offering for sin, a seed belonging to His servants in the Church
Age will serve Him forever and forever. Praise the Lord!

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