Psalm 119:82 — My eyes fail with longing for Your word, While I say, “When will You comfort me?”
The affliction of the psalmist continues and in this portion of the psalm, we see that it is caused or worsened by wicked, lawless liars who are persecuting him:
Psalm 119:84–88 — How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85 The arrogant have dug pits for me, Men who are not in accord with Your law. 86 All Your commandments are faithful; They have persecuted me with a lie; help me! 87 They almost destroyed me on earth, But as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts. 88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.
He feels the injustice of their attacks on him but rather than lash out at them, he puts his confidence in God and waits patiently for Him. He knows that God sees all things and He knows that God will repay all those who act unrighteously with the justice their sins deserve. He knows that God will not allow the wicked to triumph over Him and that everything that happens to him on earth is for his good and for the glory of God. That is how he is able to bear up under the persecution, to remain at peace and to continue to find the strength to walk with the Lord in obedience. We can understand, perhaps, that he finds comfort in the prospect of all these things as his affliction continues.
But how did the psalmist know all these things? How did he know that vengeance lies with the Lord and that the wicked will surely be called to account for their deeds? How did he know that God had not forgotten him, and that his trials would yield a harvest of righteousness in his own life? We find out in our text. He knew all these things because they were revealed in God's Word.
Imagine the plight of the psalmist if there was no Word of God. How would he make sense of his suffering? How would he endure it patiently? Where would his comfort lie? Yet that is the precise situation we cast ourselves into as believers if we neglect the Word of God. It is designed to revive us and to strengthen us, as we have seen. It is designed to comfort us in our afflictions and to do many more things as God uses it in our sanctification. However, we can derive none of these intended blessings and benefits if we never read it, never hear it preached, never meditate upon it.
The Christian life is a hard life to lead. God has told us that this is the case (no matter what some preachers might try to tell you). Because it is hard, God has given us His Word. It is not an optional extra in your walk with God - it is indispensable. You neglect it at your peril!
