ferlinfie

Carol Wimmer (found at: http://www.carolwimmer.com/)

When I say..."I am a Christian" 
I'm not shouting "I am saved" 
I'm whispering "I get lost!" 
"That is why I chose this way."

B. The Reality of Suffering

   1. (12-18) his condition

12 Many bulls encompass me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax, it is melted within my breast; 15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 Yea, dogs are round about me; a company of evildoers encircle me; they have pierced my hands and feet-- 17 I can count all my bones-- they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my raiment they cast lots.

The Psalmist returns to his complaint. In very stylized and poetic language he describes his pain. It sounds like he might be facing impending death due to a creeping disease. Anyone who has watched the horrible progression of cancer in a loved one understands the language here, and the feelings of isolation and abandonment! We are still not sure what the problem is. But we know it is serious.

   2. (19-21) his petition

 19 O LORD, be not far off! You who are my help, hasten to my aid! 20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog! 21 Save me from the mouth of the lion, my afflicted soul from the horns of the wild oxen!

I. Introduction

A. April 19: grief and pain

I don’t have to tell you that today is the second Anniversary of the bombing of the Murrah Federal building in downtown Oklahoma City. And I certainly don’t have to tell you how devastating that tragedy was for our community. Hardly anyone in Oklahoma City was not touched in some way by the bombing. I had a student in class who lost her mother. I preached the Sunday after the bombing in a church that lost two members who had worked in the Credit Union.