Day 6
Friday, December 2
Sam Beverage
Though the psalmist Asaph lived thousands of years ago, in a place and a culture distantly removed from our own, we share a profound kinship with him, for the inspired words of his prayers give voice to the yearnings of our own hearts. In Psalm 80, he prayed that his people might be saved from their enemies. He mourned their times of trouble. He bemoaned the glee of their foes. He cried out in dismay at the seeming fruitlessness of their prayers, and asked aloud, how could these things be? These prayers move us deeply, for they are ours also.
When we share in Asaph’s sorrows, we must hold also to his hope. From the beginning of this Psalm, the psalmist remembers that our Lord shepherds his people. Through the darkest depths of trouble, his sovereignty is never forgotten. When hard times come, they are not beyond God’s power, but are permitted by it, and can stay no longer than his wisdom intends. Even while Asaph bewailed the trials plaguing Israel, he looked expectantly toward that glorious day when God would turn his favor upon his people again and restore them, to turn away no more.
When our own hearts are downcast, we can enjoy that same hope to an even greater degree. Asaph knew that God’s promised salvation would be brought through a Davidic king, but he could have no higher frame of reference for that expectation than David himself. We have been blessed to know the King himself. We have heard his words, and we know his deeds; his humble nativity in Bethlehem, his gentle care for the lowly, his suffering on the cross, his exaltation over all creation. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, who shall answer every doubt, heal every wound, and dry every tear.
Sam lives in Peabody and enjoys reading books and playing for Park Street’s softball team in the summer.