Psalms 12, 46, & 88

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

• Many things can bring about disorientation in our lives. Just a few examples (try making your own list):
  • The darkness (sinfulness) of the world (12, 14)
  • Betrayal (41, 55)
  • Natural disasters (46)
  • Deep loneliness (25, 88)
  • War, destruction, exile (74, 137)
• There are psalms of disorientation, orientation, and new orientation (Brueggemann). For examples, see this short list.
• We should acknowledge these feelings, not deny or minimize them. We should pray through them, not pray as though everything is fine.

In the darkness, light

• God is light, and his light penetrates the darkness of the world (Psalm 27, 105... John 1; 1 John 1).
• God will open the eyes of our heart so that we may see, even though we live in a dark world (Eph 1:18; John 3:19; Eph 6:12).
• And yet the light does more than merely light our path, for eternal light has dawned. In the Psalms are multiple intimations of heaven:
  • Psalm 16:11
  • Psalm 17:15 (see Job 19:25-27).
  • Psalm 49:15
  • Psalm 73:24.

Thought questions

• For me, is the world a dark place? Or am I charmed by the world, enticed by its values?
• If the earth gave way under my feet, am I confident that I would have God to hold on to?
• Am I allowing his light to illuminate my life?
• Do I realize that he offers light through every book in Scripture?
• Do I appreciate the value of honesty about my own fears, doubts, and pain -- how this lends an air of genuineness and hope to my outreach, fellowship, and counseling?
• Does the darkness of this world cause me to yearn for God’s new world? And do I realize that the new creation has already begun (2 Corinthians 5:17)?

Prayer points

• Shine your light into the dark places of my life.
• Help me to be more honest and open about my own fears and disorientation.
• Sensitize me to every intimation of the next world in the scriptures.

Further study

• Walter Brueggemann, Praying the Psalms: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit (Cascade, 2007).
• Reading, Praying, and Living the Psalms (IPI, 2005)
• What Happens After We Die? (IPI, 2013)
• What About Heaven and Hell? (Harvest House, 2013)
• The Last Things series at this website.