I remember going through “The Story” in our church a few years ago. (For those unfamiliar with this curriculum, check it out here: https://www.thestory.com/.) When it comes to the Bible’s story line from Genesis to Revelation, we learned there is an “upper story” and “lower story.” The upper story is God’s sovereign plan he is working out from eternity to eternity that he may or may not always reveal. The lower story is the story of first creation to new creation with all the people & nations & events we read about in the Bible text. But then there is our story that fits into God’s story in which we relate to what is written in the lower story. It’s where we find our past, present & future. As I read this portion of Psalm 119, I find that I can both relate to what’s written AND not relate. I can’t relate to the persecution this man endured to the point where he felt shriveled up and dry “like a wineskin in the smoke” (83a). Proud people had “dug pitfalls for [him]” (85a). They persecuted this man with lies (86b) that almost finished him off (87a). I can’t relate to that kind of trouble from others. However, I can relate to longing for deliverance (“salvation”) from many personal problems (81a) and wondering how long I had to endure (84a). I, too, have felt dry in my spirit and brittle in soul. I can relate to needing and praying for new vitality or life or revival in my spirit (88a). I also can relate very much to what kept this man going: hoping in God’s word (81b), longing for a comforting promise (82), not completely forgetting God’s word (83) or forsaking his precepts (87b). I, too, want to feel afresh God’s life-giving steadfast love so that I will continue to “keep the testimonies of [God’s] mouth” (88). So today I rest in this comfort: whatever my story involves, God has a sure word for me (86). Thank you, Lord!
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