‘O Lord, Make Me Live Again!’

[Psalm 119:153-160]

Is recalling the past a joyful experience for you, or is it a painful one? Many people seem to feel more pain than joy when looking back on their past. The reason for this is that, in general, bad memories tend to outweigh the good ones. People with many bad memories often don’t want to reflect on their past, so they suppress it deep inside. However, when bad things happen again in their present life, many of those negative memories resurface, causing even more suffering and despair. Those living in such distress and hopelessness often find themselves overwhelmed with regrets about the past, old guilt, and long-held resentments, which lead to even deeper despair and hopelessness. What should we do in these situations? We must guard against hopelessness.

In today’s passage, Psalm 119:154, the second half of verse 156, and verse 159, the psalmist prays, “Make me live again.” Based on these verses, I would like to reflect on the topic, ‘O Lord, Make Me Live Again!’ focusing on guarding against hopelessness. I pray that God’s grace will be with us as we meditate on this message.

First, what causes us to fall into hopelessness?

There are two things:

(1) “My suffering” causes us to fall into hopelessness.

In Psalm 119:153, the psalmist says, “Look upon my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Your law.” The suffering the psalmist faced was caused by the “wicked” (verse 155), those who persecuted him, and his enemies (verse 157). These wicked people, who did not seek the Lord’s statutes (verse 155), and the deceitful ones who did not keep His word (verse 158), were the ones who persecuted the psalmist. Despite his love for and devotion to God’s commands, he was being persecuted because of these wicked individuals. This suffering led the psalmist to feel hopeless. In this situation, he cried out three times to the Lord, “Make me live again” (verses 154, 156, 159).

(2) “My resentment” also causes us to fall into hopelessness.

In Psalm 119:154, we read, “Plead my cause and redeem me; according to Your word, revive me.” When suffering unjustly, the psalmist prayed to God about his resentment, as he was oppressed by the wicked without cause. We, too, can feel hopeless when we experience injustice. When this hopelessness strikes, what should we do?

Secondly, how can we overcome despair?

We can overcome despair through prayer and the Word of God. When the psalmist was facing the suffering caused by the persecution of the wicked, he had two choices: either remain passive and let suffering cause his soul to despair, or be more proactive, combining a life of prayer with meditating on God's Word. The psalmist chose the latter. In the midst of his suffering, he became even more committed to prayer and the Word. Look at his prayers: “Deliver me” (v. 153), “Revive me” (v. 154, 156, 159). He did not despair in the midst of suffering but looked to the Lord, praying for salvation and revival (reviving).

Additionally, even while suffering, he did not forget the Lord's law (v. 153) and did not stray from His testimonies (v. 157). He held on even more tightly to the Word of God. That is why the psalmist cried out to the Lord: “Revive me according to Your word” (v. 154), “Revive me according to Your statutes” (v. 156).

To avoid despair in times of suffering, we must pray according to the Lord's Word. In other words, we must cling to God's Word and cry out to Him in faith. Our hearts must be drawn toward His Word, and we must allow ourselves to be governed by it. If not, it will be easy for us to fall into despair during difficult times.

We can experience despair because of the suffering and injustices in our lives. In such times, we must hold on to God's Word and pray to Him. We must depend on His loving-kindness and, according to His Word, cry out: “Revive me”. When we do this, the Lord will hear our prayer and revive (renew) our hearts. He will deliver us from despair, filling us with hope and desire for Him. Furthermore, He will rescue us from the wicked and those who persecute us.

I pray that both you and I may experience this history of salvation.

Longing for the Lord, who is our hope, even in the midst of despair and hopelessness.

Pastor James Kim
(As I live today, in the hope of the Lord who is my hope)