How can Psalm 102:5 inspire us to support others in their suffering? The Cry of the Afflicted “Because of my loud groaning my flesh clings to my bones.” – Psalm 102:5 Seeing the Suffering • The psalmist paints a graphic picture of pain that is not hidden or minimized. • Scripture records this distress to validate physical and emotional anguish; God wants His people to notice it, not ignore it. • The verse reminds us that suffering can consume a person’s strength, appetite, and even appearance. Christ’s Heart for the Afflicted • Isaiah 53:3 shows Messiah “a man of sorrows,” identifying with human misery. • Matthew 9:36 portrays Jesus moved with compassion when He saw the crowds “harassed and helpless.” • Hebrews 4:15 assures us that our High Priest sympathizes with our weaknesses. Because the Lord fully knows and bears sorrow, we who belong to Him are called to reflect that same compassion. Lessons for Our Response • Notice: Slow down and truly observe those whose “flesh clings to [their] bones.” • Listen: Give sufferers room to groan without correcting or silencing them (Job 2:13). • Share: “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). • Comfort: “God…comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). • Sustain: Provide meals, medical help, and financial aid when weakness has robbed a person’s strength (James 2:15-16). Promises to Speak Over Them • Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. • Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you.” • Revelation 21:4 – He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Sharing these truths reminds the sufferer of God’s unchanging care. A Call to Ongoing Compassion Psalm 102:5 stirs us to keep remembering the afflicted, just as God remembers them (Hebrews 13:3). By entering another’s pain, we act as living demonstrations of the gospel we cherish, showing that the God who recorded groans in Scripture still hears—and answers—them today. |
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