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Day 315

Psalm 88:18a "Loved one and friend You have put far from me..."

Day 315 – Psalm 88

“Loved one and friend You have put far from me…” Psalm 88:18a

THAT WHICH IS DEARLY MISSED

The psalmist Heman underwent many severe trials that left him feeling distraught. What he missed dearly may be seen in the following text.

“Loved one and friend You have put far from me,
And my acquaintances into darkness.”
Psalm 88:18

1. Three categories noted:-

a) Loved one (family)
b) Friend (close friend)
c) Acquaintance (casual friend)

2. You have put far from me

a) Somehow these distanced themselves.
b) They were not to be found in Heman’s hour of need.
c) All were “far from (him)”.

3. Into darkness

a) Darkness was used as a fitting symbol.
b) In darkness:-
i) All is lost.
ii) One cannot see and distinguish.

NO ANSWERS

Psalm 88 ended with no answers at all. There was no reply from God. What may we learn from this difficult and dark Psalm?

1. We recognise that life does not have all the answers.

2. We know that God is not obliged to answer our questions.

3. We have to learn to live with questions.

4. We need a very strong faith to cope with pain and suffering.