Actually Psalm 66:14 is not a complete sentence!
It’s part of a thought that began earlier in the Psalm. Nonetheless the verse houses a thought that I can’t forget.
I’m going to call today’s lesson, “What to say when we are in trouble!”
Now, Psalm 66:14, word for word, King James Version. “Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.”
“What I said … when I was in trouble!”
The concept of “trouble” as used here means “a narrow, tight place!” More and more constricting circumstances … heavier and heavier pressure!
But … what did I say then?
Did I complain?
Did I doubt God?
Did I question the Lord’s Wisdom, or Power?
The Psalmist certainly said something! Just go back one verse and you can easily discern what he declared. “I will go into Thy House (the house of the Lord) with burnt offerings: I will pay Thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.”
The author of our Psalm here “promised” God some things, when he was in trouble.
And he plans to fulfill those commitments too!
When in trouble … David prayed.
When in trouble … Paul witnessed.
When in trouble … Jeremiah wept and trusted, then preached.
When in trouble … Peter repented.
When in trouble … John worshipped.
God loves to hear what we say … when in trouble.
Job said, when in trouble … having just heard of the deaths of all 10 of his children … “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21
As Job’s troubles intensified … he still said things like this. “When he (God) hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
And when doubt began to attack … “I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Job 19:25-26
In sum, with more troubles than nearly any other person in Scripture, Job said: “Though he (the Lord) slay me, yet will I trust in him.” Job 13:15
Wow!
Let’s pray the Lord will help us speak rightly … when trouble comes our way as well.
Psalm 119:71 presents the right idea. “It is good for me that I have been afflicted (endured trouble); that I might learn thy statutes.”
Second Corinthians 12:9, Paul in trouble: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (weaknesses), that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Let’s “talk” when trouble comes, all right. Let’s talk rightly to God! Oh, one more Job verse. In great trouble … “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Job 1:22
Wow!
Dr. Mike Bagwell
Oh yes, another prayer to help. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
Even when in trouble!