Psalm 102:13

Psalm 102:13

The appointed time has come

It now becomes obvious that the travails and suffering of the psalmist are both personal but also national. In describing his own woes, he is embracing the deep anguish of Israel and the depth of her misery and torment as a nation. I think we may assume that this distress is related to the captivity in Babylon and what seemed to be the demise of a once proud state that has now been uprooted from its land and appears to have no future other than total annihilation. 

The psalmist is now suddenly confident that the time of Israel’s desolation is about to end, that there is hope because the Lord God will arise, and He will show compassion to the people of Zion. We need to understand that God does not act randomly or without purpose and design. He is methodical, purposeful and incredibly well organised. There has always been a plan, and there always will be in His dealings with mankind. Every day, week, month and year is carefully ordered, and nothing can happen that will throw the Lord off course for no-one, and nothing is greater than He. So, it is now time to show favour to Zion. Maybe this note of hope was prophetic? Whatever the reason, the down-hearted writer now sees a ray of hope, a reason to believe that the appointed time has come.

I am reminded of Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Whatever our trials and struggles, they must always have an end if we are trusting in the Lord. He will show us favour, the suffering will cease, the anguish will be lifted for “the appointed time has come.” Hallelujah!

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