Richard, Yes, we need to seek the Lord at all times, but especially when death is near. And yet, we are to remind ourselves that the Father calls and draws near those He has chosen for salvation. Therefore, even in dire circumstances we can know that the Holy Spirit contends with the unbelieving heart even up to death. So, we can certainly trust that even though we may not be 'in the sphere' when someone is close to death, we can trust that the Holy Spirit is and is able to do all of the work of salvation without us in such circumstances.
But we, ourselves are to not lose heart when we face such a foe as death. God is with us and will not forsake us even if we should die, we will live.
Psalm 88. Probably the most depressing passage in all scripture as to a personal viewpoint of experience in this life. This certainly reminds us of the book of Job. (see Job 30:15 in particular).
Verse 4 seems to indicate that this person is near unto death and is further supported by verse 6 where it seems the pit of Sheol is nigh. We see that those in that state are "cut off from thy hand" therefore there is no more mercy from God at that point. We are reminded of Isaiah 38:18 and many other passages which show that the dead will not praise God (verse 10). Furthermore; destruction and forgetfulness also describe the fate of those in hell (verse 11-12). Those things which affected our emotions and desires on earth ( Ecclesiastes 9:5) will not exist as the body returns to the dust. However; the soul lives on and for the unregenerate in conscious torment (see Lazarus and the unnamed rich man ( Luke 16:19-31).
Nonetheless; we must seek His face while He can be found. Job's state wasn't hopeless; and neither is anyone in Christ who truly repents and seeks the Lord. The enemy certainly can have us ensnared in sin; or oppressing us with feelings of hopelessness. We need to confess sin and seek His face; as well as trusting His promises despite circumstances. That is good advice surely in war; famine and other horrendous circumstances that bring us near death as well as seeing death all around us. These passages should remind us to seek those who may be disfigured by disease and to demonstrate God's love through service wherever we can.
I believe the psalmist is speaking about when we are going though ,what I call DRY TIMES with God. There will be days we will question our salvation ,our worship,our crying out to the Lord! In these times the Lord sometime wants to see what we are going to do? Our we going to keep studying the word, worship, keep raising our hands to HEAVEN or just give up ? Remember the book of Job, can we be like Job?Well for me ,I have been though a lot of dry times over 42 years. I almost went back . Family, job situations, marriage. But the song writer said "trouble does not going to last always". When hard times come we go on a fast from the TV,from the pleasures of this world . Do God's work all the time, not sometimes. Look at this ,this way. When we our at work, things don't always go our way, we don't always get off on time,that associate that never agrees with you on this day ,worse than ever, that doesn't stop us from going to work! I said that to say this don't give up on Christ, he made the ultimate sacrifice,giving his Life on the Cross. John 10:10 That we may have Life and that more abundantly, In JESUS Remember True Christians don't give up to the world,we give in to JESUS.I believe in " 2 Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair ;" 1 Corinthians 10:13
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." But we must remember this scripture in " James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: Now let's remember also that God loved us first. I leave you with this study your Bible showed thyself approved. Don't slack in God's work,also don't be caught with your work undone. Have A Blessed New Year with Jesus on your mind All the Time.
You are not alone. I have felt this way for some time. I think it may be that as we age in Christ we our life is more and more aligned with God's will and His will is contrary to the will of those who age in the world. As we age in Christ we more and more have the mind of Christ and so we hate what is wrong more and more and love what is right more and more. Also, we have more power to refuse to participate in sin, so we have better discernment of people and circumstances, perceiving the sinful and evil that I should avoid, therefore, avoiding even the appearance of evil. Jesus instructed us to let our light shine before men, that they may see the good that you do and give glory to God.
Dear "Jimmy Wayne Marcum", start and give of what you have.
Read the Bible and share what you get. Believers too, they need more encouragement now than ever before.
Everyone needs Jesus no matter who, in one way or another. And best of all, it's completely free to have people confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
And then it's good to take with us that we are different so sometimes it's best to listen to the Lord. What would He have done, we usually find the answers in God's Word.
Preserve your heart above all things and your faith in the Lord. Romans 14
May the Lord bless you and preserve you for all the days of your life. Love u in Christ. Jesus loved us first.
I heard that I should read this. I'm not sure how it will help me but I really feel like I've been taken away from society somehow. I know Alot of people but its like I'm not fitting in anymore or like Alot of people are looking younger or something and it seems like everyone is hinting that they need something and I'm not sure how I can help them...
I would defer here to the Matthew Henry comment listed on this site as a particularly poignant analysis of Psalm 88. The first verse; indeed declares that God is of his salvation; that is the writer of the psalm. No doubt; the fate of Korah himself and some of his sons could fit into this narrative as well. We do well to heed to the warnings of the fate of the afterlife for the lost; as Matthew Henry points out-there is at least there is some natural light in this life. The lamp for the wicked goes out; as other verses state ( Job 18:15; Proverbs 13:9; etc) after death. There is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22). As believers; Satan can accuse us and oppress us; to steal our joy and effectiveness. Once the Spirit refreshes us and we repent for misdeeds; then we recognize our Shephard and once again follow the straight and narrow. This is something foreign to the world at large. A self righteous man will never surrender his "righteousness" to God; even in hell; and at that time there is no more grace available. God will simply continue to be an enemy for all eternity. Regeneration; therefore must happen now; in this lifetime. Those who are not one of His children will never desire Christ without Divine revelation and that comes being one of His elect.
It appears Mischil of the family of Heman, Ezraite was the singer/musician. 1Chronicles 2:6, 1Chronicles 6:33,
Psalms 88:1-5, suffering feeling like death draws near him. Crying out to GOD.
Psalms 88:6,10,11,12 could even be considered prophetic, pointing towards Jesus CHRIST: 1Peter 4:6, 1Peter 3:18, like Psalms 86:13, 2Samuel 22:6, Psalms 18:5, Acts 2:25-36,
Vrs. 14, 15 seem also to be prophetic to Jesus CHRIST the MESSIAH , John 12:23-50,
The sons of Korah had a dark history when the earth swallowed those directly involved in the rebellion in Numbers 16 where 250 were swallowed up by the earth and apparently went to hades immediately and while still alive. There could certainly be a recognition of the fate by the author who apparently at the very least was sympathetic to what happened. In regard to the text; where he says he is in the lower parts of the earth (v.6); and the hopelessness personally expressed here as in no other section of scripture it is certainly conceivable that he had a real revelation of hell. Such torments as listed in the Parable of Lazarus and the rich man
(starting in Luke 16:20) illustrate an account of an individual still in hell today from real life who is the nameless rich man. Such is the situation of the lost after death and this chapter should be enough to scare someone straight to repentance realizing there is no hope apart from Christ. Sadly; though when the rich man sought for someone to be raised from the dead he was told by Abraham that they would not listen; and the implication is that even those who see many not believe-as is evidenced by the rebellious Jews in the Book of Acts.
For the heart to respond it must be changed from the stony heart to one of flesh ( Ezekiel 11:19). It must be something which God grants to His elect; no man comes to Christ unless the Father draws Him first ( John 6:44). May He grant that to some today.
I was baptized when I was 45, he in many ways describes my life before I was pulled from the pit by our Lord. Of course I did not know that at the time, but I was very aware that there was something very wrong was me. I came to understand that it was the sin I was living and the pain of being far from Christ. Now I pray that I will trust Him completely with all my being. Prayer without ceasing.
I find that it helps to click the Discussion link above and read the Commentary by Matthew Henry. For Psalms 88 he points us to the savior's abandonment and suffering for us.
Dont live that and if you do something wrong god to forgive you but you have to mean it sincerely from the heart and go to church after this youll see a change
My Mother went through a long painful illness.
One day I said,"Mother, I feel like God has forgotten us." Mother said,"I claim God as my Father, Jesus as my Savior ,
I don't see the redemption here. My mother showed me this about a month before she died of cancer. She said, "this is how I feel." A profoundly religious person who knew she would soon be taken from her young kids, she felt the despair in this Psalm, and I sat down on the stairs and cried. I think it is an honest account of feeling abandoned with no answer
Thank God that when we are in the valley of the shadow of death, God is still there, even if we might think He has forgotten us. But praise be to God that when He brings us through, we are refined like pure gold. This end result motivate us to endure really tough times in our walk with the Lord. Thank you Lord Jesus, that indeed it's the living that praise you and not the dead. Hallelujah!
On days like these when the body is tired, it is good to know God has an understanding heart. He is not like man heartless and uncaring to human condition. He is compassionate and understanding of needs and circumstances. God does not focus on bitterness and hate but meet us where we are at on our bad days.The reason man finds peace in God is his lack of egocentricity and he is void of darkness.
I have read the Bible three times all the way through in my life time and I 'm starting on my fourth. I know that I have read Psalms 88 but I do not remember how it depicts the sadness, pain, loneliness and the place in which a person dwells even in life on earth. I have been in a dark place but not like this one. I know first hand that it is hard to see the light when your mind and what you feel in your heart is so devestating. Praise God I made it through. God help us all!
I am amazed of this chapter! It has spoken to my daughter 's heart especially verse 15. It says I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted. We are in a storm right now, and my daughter is always scared of dieing in her youth, but praise God we found this verse. God is Almighty in His ways of comforting.
I have lived this and of late got my heart's desire of moving back to my promised land and then God gave me Ps. 88 again.
Most Christians do not know this scripture. I do, but wonder why a few have to walk this walk, when they are only trying to please God.
But we, ourselves are to not lose heart when we face such a foe as death. God is with us and will not forsake us even if we should die, we will live.
Verse 4 seems to indicate that this person is near unto death and is further supported by verse 6 where it seems the pit of Sheol is nigh. We see that those in that state are "cut off from thy hand" therefore there is no more mercy from God at that point. We are reminded of Isaiah 38:18 and many other passages which show that the dead will not praise God (verse 10). Furthermore; destruction and forgetfulness also describe the fate of those in hell (verse 11-12). Those things which affected our emotions and desires on earth ( Ecclesiastes 9:5) will not exist as the body returns to the dust. However; the soul lives on and for the unregenerate in conscious torment (see Lazarus and the unnamed rich man ( Luke 16:19-31).
Nonetheless; we must seek His face while He can be found. Job's state wasn't hopeless; and neither is anyone in Christ who truly repents and seeks the Lord. The enemy certainly can have us ensnared in sin; or oppressing us with feelings of hopelessness. We need to confess sin and seek His face; as well as trusting His promises despite circumstances. That is good advice surely in war; famine and other horrendous circumstances that bring us near death as well as seeing death all around us. These passages should remind us to seek those who may be disfigured by disease and to demonstrate God's love through service wherever we can.
Sometimes Hebrews 12:7
Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13, James 5:11,
Hopefully these are encouraging to you, as your words & scriptures were to me, thank you
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." But we must remember this scripture in " James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: Now let's remember also that God loved us first. I leave you with this study your Bible showed thyself approved. Don't slack in God's work,also don't be caught with your work undone. Have A Blessed New Year with Jesus on your mind All the Time.
You are not alone. I have felt this way for some time. I think it may be that as we age in Christ we our life is more and more aligned with God's will and His will is contrary to the will of those who age in the world. As we age in Christ we more and more have the mind of Christ and so we hate what is wrong more and more and love what is right more and more. Also, we have more power to refuse to participate in sin, so we have better discernment of people and circumstances, perceiving the sinful and evil that I should avoid, therefore, avoiding even the appearance of evil. Jesus instructed us to let our light shine before men, that they may see the good that you do and give glory to God.
See
Romans 12:9; 16:19 1 Corinthians 13:6; 14:20 1 Thessalonians 5:22 2Timothy 2:22
Hebrews 5:14 1 Peter 1:14 3 John 1:11 Matthew 5:16
Read the Bible and share what you get. Believers too, they need more encouragement now than ever before.
Everyone needs Jesus no matter who, in one way or another. And best of all, it's completely free to have people confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
And then it's good to take with us that we are different so sometimes it's best to listen to the Lord. What would He have done, we usually find the answers in God's Word.
Preserve your heart above all things and your faith in the Lord. Romans 14
May the Lord bless you and preserve you for all the days of your life. Love u in Christ. Jesus loved us first.
Psalms 88:1-5, suffering feeling like death draws near him. Crying out to GOD.
Psalms 88:6,10,11,12 could even be considered prophetic, pointing towards Jesus CHRIST: 1Peter 4:6, 1Peter 3:18, like Psalms 86:13, 2Samuel 22:6, Psalms 18:5, Acts 2:25-36,
Vrs. 14, 15 seem also to be prophetic to Jesus CHRIST the MESSIAH , John 12:23-50,
James 1:5,
Hopefully this is helpful
(starting in Luke 16:20) illustrate an account of an individual still in hell today from real life who is the nameless rich man. Such is the situation of the lost after death and this chapter should be enough to scare someone straight to repentance realizing there is no hope apart from Christ. Sadly; though when the rich man sought for someone to be raised from the dead he was told by Abraham that they would not listen; and the implication is that even those who see many not believe-as is evidenced by the rebellious Jews in the Book of Acts.
For the heart to respond it must be changed from the stony heart to one of flesh ( Ezekiel 11:19). It must be something which God grants to His elect; no man comes to Christ unless the Father draws Him first ( John 6:44). May He grant that to some today.
One day I said,"Mother, I feel like God has forgotten us." Mother said,"I claim God as my Father, Jesus as my Savior ,
Most Christians do not know this scripture. I do, but wonder why a few have to walk this walk, when they are only trying to please God.