Psalm 119:82
My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?” Psalm 119:82
The psalmist is longing to be comforted by seeing with, his own eyes, the promise of God fulfilled. This is a foretelling of the coming of Jesus of Nazareth as the Savior of the World, the perfect Lamb of God.
“My eyes long …,” In the prior verse the psalmist pointed to the longing of his soul. This verse he wants to see with his eyes. He wants to see this verse with his eyes.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. – 1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV.
“…for your promise;” The psalmist longs for the promises of God to be his sturdy, rock solid foundation. He knows that his abilities are not enough. He needs strength from outside of himself to be secure in this world.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
“…I ask,” The psalmist humbles himself in the presence of God by simply asking. He is not in a proud or arrogant confronting posture. He takes the posture of asking. He humbles himself just to ask.
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. – Psalm 131:1 ESV
“When will you comfort me?” This is a remarkably simple lament that the psalmist has brought before God, his Father. This is a beautiful, simple, child-like prayer. He is longing from the depths of his soul and wanting to see with his eyes, the promise of God.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
As those who have placed our faith in Jesus, we know that the promise of God is that one day we will see Him face to face. And while there will be proper fear of God in that moment, we also know that this will be the greatest comfort for us to experience.
At that moment we will know that death has not consumed us. Death has been overcome. All our fears, except for a right and healthy fear of God, will be removed from us and will be able to worship limitlessly. We will be free from all shame, bitterness, unforgiveness, and any other feelings that keep us from freely experiencing God. We will know and be fully known at that moment.
God placed the desire for eternity in each of his children. But sometimes we get frustrated and impatient and want eternity today. We spit and cuss and kick at the fact that your surroundings today are less than perfect.
It is not wrong to desire comfort in today’s broken world, but it is sin to demand it. We are living in a world that Paul Tripp calls “the already, but not yet.” We need to rely on the promises of God to navigate our way. Then one day we will see it all just as He promised it to be.
If you find yourself weary and uncomfortable with how your life is going, consider reaching out to the Care Team at Burke Care to talk. We can help you understand today’s circumstances alongside God’s promises. In the meantime, consider pausing to pray and ask God for His guidance in direction for your life.
God, I long to see this world made right. Give me the patience to wait for Your timing. Your will be done, not mine. To Your glory, not mine. For the good of others, not me. Amen.
Application Questions:
When do I get impatient and want my way now?
How can I look at life with a long-term perspective knowing that eternity is promised for those who put their faith in Jesus?
Do I believe that one day all wrongs will be made right and all fear will be gone?
Schedule Care Today | Info@burkecare.org | 512.522.2580 | Subscribe
