In Psalms one hundred seven the Psalmist said, “Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted”, and in chapter one hundred seven and verse eighteen of Psalms the Psalmist said, “their soul abhors all manner of meat” where we read,
Their soul abhors all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
The verse begins, “Their soul abhors all manner of meat;” The Psalmist began with the words, “their soul” or “their, (the foolish people who commit transgression and iniquities who suffer affliction), mind, will, desires, living being and seat of passions and emotions” “abhors” which means “do abominably, detest and utterly loathe” “all manner of meat” or “each, every, the whole and the total victuals, prey and food”. The Psalmist said the foolish people who were “afflicted” because of their “transgression and iniquities” could not stand the thought of eating any food.
The verse continues, “and they draw near unto the gates of death.” The Psalmist added the words, “and they draw near” or “and they, (the foolish people who commit transgression and iniquities who suffer affliction), reach, extend to, strike and approach” “unto the gates” which means “toward the ports or doors” “of death” or “belonging to ruin or dying”. The Psalmist said the foolish people who were “afflicted” because of their “transgression and iniquities were approaching the doors of dying.
When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the Psalmist shared the depth of the affliction experienced by people who were foolish and committed transgression and iniquities. They didn’t want to eat, and they were approaching death’s door. In other words, they were in dire straits. God originally designed that it would never be this way for mankind, but when sin and error came, suffering and affliction accompanied it. (See Genesis 3) God loves people, and when we suffer affliction, we should remember that God sent His Son Jesus into the world to suffer and die for our sins so that we may believe and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins and inherit everlasting life with Him in Heaven. When we suffer, we can do no better than to call upon Jehovah God and His Son Jesus, and our temporary affliction will be turned into everlasting joy.
Next time the Psalmist tells how the people of Israel, “cry unto the LORD in their trouble”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website “thewordfortodaywithray.com” or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book “Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II” and the new novel “Elizabeth County” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from “Strongs Concordance”.
Ray Hanselman 