Many Bibles have scripture references in them so as you read you can see where some parts are direct quotations from other parts of the Bible or refer back to different parts. In psalm 88, many of the references are to the book of Job because this is a prayer of one who suffers like Job.
The short story of Job: He was one of God's "golden boys". Satan was talking to God and said he had been roaming the earth and God asked him if he had seen Job, "There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." (Job 1:8b). Satan feels like it's no big deal to fear God is your life is full of blessing. So he asks to test Job. Through a variety tests, EVERY thing is stripped from Job...his possessions, his family and even his own health. And through it all Job continues to trust in the Lord...of course he had some conversations with him about his pain (physical and emotional), but his heart remained fearful of the Lord. When satan failed, God restored all that satan had stripped and more.
We will ALL face seasons of pain and some trials, but this is one who the strain is relentless and ongoing. Sometimes it feels as though your season will not relent and it is so painful. That is the prayer of this psalmist. Dr. Constable noted, "when God does not relieve affliction, the godly continue to pray, trusting that He will eventually grant their petition if this is His will."
I feel I've have walked through a small season (2010-2014) and your faith comes out so much stronger when you hold on to the ONE who can get you through it with sanity, hope and crazy as it is...joy. I am currently watching a friend walk through her ongoing season. It is different from the outside looking in. I wish her season would relent and she is this psalmist...she daily continues to call out to God..and trust Him AND tell others how good He is while she waits and fears the Lord. In her season of pain, she brings the goodness of God to others and trusts that God will grant her petition. She is honest with Him about her pain and reaches out to others to "stand in the gap" (Christianese for be there for her) when the pain is particulary acute. And it is a powerful witness. The fact that she still can say, "Blessed be His name" in her season of pain is POWERful. She leans in to God...reads His Word, calls to others, loves to listen to worship music that speaks to her soul. Would you stand in the gap with me and pray for her? God knows, but pray that she be strong as she waits that He would grant her petition.
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