A Look at Psalm 119:83

Psalm 119:83 “Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget Your decrees.’”
 

Years ago in the eastern countries, bottles (water pouches) were made of skin. In order to have a hot drink, people would hang the pouch (bottle) in the smoke of a fire. With time the outer skin became parched and shriveled. In this verse, David likened the exhausted state of his body and mind to a wineskin in the smoke. David had such a pure heart that he said, in essence, “Even though my body and mind are completely exhausted, I won’t forget Your decrees.”
 

David did not have a martyr complex. Like any of us, he did not relish his suffering. He wanted deliverance! However, in the midst of his suffering, he learned a great lesson – never give up on God. 

I have heard some say, “God didn’t answer my prayer, so I gave up on Him.” Do they think their prayer will be answered sooner by giving up on God? David did not forget God’s decrees or decisions. He walked as God directed him, even in the midst of suffering. In a time where everything seemed to be going wrong, he walked with his God.
 

The prophet Habakkuk gave us some good advice. “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls [you can insert your own dilemma here], YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD, I WILL BE JOYFUL IN GOD MY SAVIOR” Habakkuk 3:17-18. The prophet in essence said, “Even though everything on God’s green earth is going wrong, I will still rejoice in the Lord.”
 

Habakkuk knew you never give upon God. We would be wise to follow the apostle Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” 

Take some time to let this verse sink in – chew/meditate on it; ask God to help you rejoice in Him even in the midst of trouble and difficulty. 

Continued