(The three part study (video, audio and notes) with Psalm 88 is available here)

This Psalm can be briefly explained by saying that we are being shown how God creates a world of trouble for us that brings us to ask questions, questions that would not normally come to surface unless there was great pressure in our life (Act 14:22).

Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

It is hard in our flesh to reason that such trouble and trials are actually being used of God for our good, but as this Psalm comes to a conclusion on yet again another destructive note to our flesh, it becomes clear that God is simply showing us that the flesh is the means to the end, and that He is not unaware of our form and the strong ties that we have in the earth (Psa 103:14).

Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Through the grace and faith that God’s people are granted we can continue on in this life as faithful witnesses of His power working all things out according to the counsel of His will (Eph 1:11), and for the good, because His purpose for us is filled with love and concern for all involved (Rom 8:28), including all of humanity who will one day come to deeply appreciate how God separated His people in judgement from the rest of the world (1Pet 4:17).

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

This Psalm truly reflects what God’s people must endure if we are going to be faithful to these words of our Lord in (Luk 14:26), and we can take great comfort in knowing that the forerunner of our salvation (Heb 6:20) knows and has declared that we shall drink this cup (Mat 20:23) and endure unto the end because of the patience and faith that God is working and teaching us to keep and possess (Luk 21:19 , 1Tim 6:12).

Luk 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Mat 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

This patience and faith of the saints is made possible by drinking the living waters of Jesus Christ that He freely gives to all who are drawn to His table (Joh 4:14)

Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

(The three part study with Psalm 88 including audio, video and study notes is available here)