Scripture Reading : Psalm 88
Theme : Humble Faith in Darkness
- Terrifying Affliction (1–9a). This psalm is sometimes called the darkest psalm in the book. It describes the psalmist’s endless plight with no relieve in sight. He is full of troubles because God’s wrath is heavy upon him. He is suffering because of his sins. He is suffering from emotional and relational pain because he is alone. All his companions are avoiding him.
- Earnest Prayer (9b–12). Despite all the darkness that surrounds him, his faith is steadfast. He still is resolved to express that faith through his daily prayer to God. He does not wish to die under God’s wrath and to cease to praise God in the grave. He is seeking God’s forgiveness and deliverance from God’s wrath, so that he may praise Him for his righteousness and goodness to him.
- Steadfast Faith (13-18). Being under divine judgement, he is humbled and confesses God is his only savior. Despite all his suffering, all the darkness that covers him, he puts his faith that God will forgive and deliver him from God’s wrath. This is a humble faith that understands his sinfulness and does not demand God’s forgiveness, but begs and hopes for forgiveness, despite all the sufferings upon him because of his sins.
Praying the Scripture
Oftentimes, people suffer because they sin against God through worshipping idols and disobeying His laws. Sadly, when suffer comes as result of sins, most people are not humbled by it. Instead, they blame God for their troubles, or they continue to rebel against Him, or they curse God (Rev. 16:11). Such sinful attitudes will lead to even more darkness and suffering. God will not listen to the prayer of unrepentant sinners (Ps. 18:41). The right attitude in suffering when it’s the result of sin is to be humble. A humble person acknowledges one’s sins and does not curse God for His righteous wrath on sin. A humble person comes to God as a beggar who does not demand anything from God, not even forgiveness since he knows it is just for God to punish sin. A humble person trembles at God and begs for His mercy. To demand anything from God or being angry at God means the sinner does not knowledge the ugliness of his sins and God’s righteous punishment against sin. When you are suffering because of your sins or when you are helping people who are suffering because of their sins you and others must become humble and beg for mercy. Do not demand anything, but view yourselves as unworthy like the prodigal son (Luke 15:18-19). Pray for humility in suffering when your suffering is result of your sins.
经文：诗篇88
主题：黑暗中的卑微之信
- 可怕的患难（1-9上）。这首诗有时也被称是这本书卷中最黑暗的诗歌。它形容了诗人毫无尽头的困境；他看不见曙光。他满心忧虑，因为神的怒气重重地压在他身上。他是因为自己的罪受苦的。由于他独自一人，他正面临心理和感情上的痛苦。所有的同伴都在躲避他。
- 恳切的祷告（9下-12）。虽然他周围都是黑暗，他的信心仍然坚定。他依然立志要藉着每日对神的祷告表达这份信心。他不希望在神的愤怒之下灭亡，并在墓穴中停止赞美神。他正寻求神的饶恕，求能脱离神的愤怒，叫他能赞美神对他的公义及良善。
- 坚定的信心（13-18）。诗人在神的审判之下谦卑自己，并承认神是他唯一的救主。即便受苦，尽管黑暗遮盖了他，他相信神会赦免并救他脱离神的愤怒。这是谦卑信心的表现：诗人明白自己的罪性，也不强求神的宽恕，乃因罪行而受患难的同时祈求并盼望得赦免。
用经文祷告
很多时候，人受苦是因为他们藉着偶像的崇拜违背了神的律法而得罪神。可悲的是，人们因着自己的罪受苦时仍不谦卑，反过来抱怨神，或继续悖逆祂，又或者诅咒神（启16:11）。如此罪恶的态度会导致一人受更大的苦楚，面临更大的黑暗。神不会垂听顽固罪人的祷告（诗18:41）。我们因罪受苦时当有的态度是要谦卑。谦卑之人会承认自己的罪，不会因神的义怒诅咒神。一个谦卑的人会如乞丐般来到神面前，不奢求神会赐予什么，包括饶恕，因为他晓得神审判罪是应该的。要求神，或向神发怒，表示罪人不承认自己罪行的丑陋性，以及神对罪公义的审判。当你因自己的罪受苦时，或在帮助因罪受苦的人时，你与他们都要谦卑，求神怜悯。不要强求任何东西，乃视自己如浪子般那样不配（路15:18-19）。当你因自己的罪受苦时，要求主赐你谦卑的心。
