Praising Through the Pain

"But You, O Lord, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures through all generations."
Psalm 102:12

Pain is a fearsome foe. It tends to zap all of humanity's strength, and rob us of numerous joys. I, like many, have had my share of bouts with physical distress. But perhaps the most excruciating pain-filled battle I ever encountered occurred when I was in college. Just a week prior to the start of my sophomore year I began to feel a twinge of pain in my right ear. It was not a constant ache, at least at first. Rather, it was an intermittent wave of intense discomfort that shot across my ear canal, resulting in a steady onslaught of momentary headaches. Up until this point in my life I had endured several ear infections, and assumed I was just fighting through another minor one. A day later, a doctor's visit confirmed my suspicion. I did indeed have an ear infection. 

I was prescribed an antibiotic and hoped my ear infection would be swiftly overcome. But for some reason the pain did not regress; it progressed. Before long, the soreness was so severe that I was unable to sleep, eat, or do anything functional. In fact, after a while I was reduced to sitting in a chair, covering my eyes, and rotating the usage of a heating pad and an ice pack, hoping to somehow mute the pain raging in my head. Soon after, I found blood droplets in my right ear. And then noises became so muddled I could not distinctly discern the words family members were saying to me. It sounded as though human speech was just a cluttered block of sound. All indications were pointing to the harsh reality that my ear infection was worsening. For a time, I began to wonder if this incident would do permanent damage to my hearing. Thankfully, my family was able to secure an immediate visit with an ear, nose, and throat specialist. He affirmed that the ear infection had indeed expanded and instilled temporary tubes in my ears to help the inner canals drain out. Furthermore, the doctor prescribed a stronger dose of medication. It took a few days but eventually the pain subsided, and the ear infection was eradicated. 

As I reflect back on that event I realize that for the better part of the ordeal I was unable to think of anything but the pain. It consumed me. I desperately wanted it to go away, and yet all I could do was dwell on the knowledge that an ear infection was tormenting me. And pain, both physical and emotional, has a knack of diverting our attention from what really matters: our relationship with God. The point being, even in discomfort we can find reason to rejoice if we choose to, which is exactly what we find in Psalm 102.

The ascription given to the author of Psalm 102 reveals much about the writer, as well as the conditions surrounding this song's writing. The New International Version (NIV) states that this Hebrew anthem is the supplication of an afflicted man. This forthright opening proclamation sets the stage for the impending content. The bulk of Psalm 102 is heavy in its depth of feelings, and the writer pulls no punches regarding the gravity of his situation. This passage is a candid confession of a man who was crying for divine help. He was upset, but not unstable. He was concerned, but not cynical. He was discouraged, but not defeated. And the pressure the author endured was so oppressive that he could not even take the time to replenish his stomach with food (Psalm 102:4). Seemingly everything about him, including his body and mind, was in upheaval, and on the brink of a total breakdown.

The text of Psalm 102 continues in a gut-wrenching fashion until verse 12. And this transitional statement completely changes the overall tenor of the psalm. The writer declared that despite all of his personal calamities and travails he still recognized that God is, and always will be, seated upon His heavenly throne, thus recognizing that the will of God always prevails, and rises above the fray of earthly troubles. Just when we, as readers and students of the Bible, expect to take in a boisterous complaint from the author of Psalm 102 we are handed an utterance of praise. And the utterance clearly derived from a spirit of unbreakable adoration. It was so strong, so prevalent, that it was able to persevere through pain.  

Think about it for a second....after the psalmist inhaled frustration, misery, strife, and despair he exhaled a message of glory to God. How remarkable is that? The writer of this song was so confident in the Lord's sovereignty and supremacy that he was able to worship God despite the dark and gloomy environment that had enveloped him. He dispensed words of hope and trust even though he was mired in pain. 

The great challenge before mankind is to hold onto our faith in the valley of life for in the valley of life there is anguish. There is agony. There is affliction. There is mud. There is rain. And there is coldness. But what also exists in the valley of life is God's unfailing lovingkindness. And to focus only on the pain of the moment is to overlook the holiness and greatness of God Himself. After all, His goodness is immeasurable. So let us absorb the underlying truth in Psalm 102. May it inspire God's people to steadily exercise a faith in the everlasting Lord. A faith that praises through the pain because it knows the perfect, powerful God will always reign.