What does "plagued all day long" teach about the believer's daily struggles? Scripture Focus “Surely I have been stricken all day long and punished every morning.” – Psalm 73:14 Understanding the Phrase “Plagued All Day Long” • “Stricken” (Hebrew: nāḡa‘) can also be rendered “plagued,” conveying a sense of continual, painful adversity. • “All day long” points to a relentless, not occasional, pressure. • “Punished every morning” underscores how the psalmist feels the struggle afresh with each new dawn. Lessons for Our Daily Struggles • Ongoing trials are normal for God’s people; even a faithful believer like Asaph experienced unrelenting pressure. • Continuous struggle does not equal divine abandonment; the psalmist addresses God throughout the psalm, proving the relationship is intact. • God allows persistent challenges to refine faith and keep hearts dependent on Him (Hebrews 12:6; 1 Peter 1:6-7). • Honest lament is welcomed in Scripture; admitting “I feel plagued” is an act of faith, not unbelief. Encouragement from the Wider Witness of Scripture • 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 – “We are hard pressed on all sides, yet not crushed…” The apostle’s words mirror Asaph’s, showing continuity of the believer’s experience. • Romans 8:18 – “The sufferings of this present time are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.” Daily struggle is temporary; future glory is certain. • Lamentations 3:22-23 – “The LORD’s loving devotion never ends… His mercies are new every morning.” Each “punished” morning is also a morning of fresh mercy. • John 16:33 – “In the world you will have tribulation; but take courage, I have overcome the world.” Jesus affirms the reality of trouble and supplies the victory. Living It Out Today • Expect opposition: prepare heart and mind each day knowing hardship is not strange (1 Peter 4:12). • Lament to the Lord: follow Asaph’s model by voicing struggles directly to God rather than suppressing them. • Rehearse truth: anchor thoughts in promises like Romans 8:28 and Psalm 73:26 to counter feelings of being “plagued.” • Seek fellowship: share burdens with believing friends (Galatians 6:2) so the load is not carried alone. • Fix eyes on eternity: keep perspective that current afflictions are “light and momentary” compared with eternal glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). |
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