As I started reading Psalm 102 this morning, I thought to myself how the psalms can often evoke some pretty intense emotions. In modern vernacular, they can be “triggering.”

Though suffering no major affliction, though things overall are on the “mountain top” side of the continuum rather than “in the valley”, you can read a God-breathed prayer of the afflicted and flashbacks to your own affliction flash back. A reminder that trials and suffering, far from completely passing away, just become part of the fabric of your life as you go forward. While time may heal our wounds, there often remains the scar.

Dane Ortlund had another cut on this “triggering” effect which resonated deeply this morning.

Pain is not something we experience some of the time.
Pain is something we experience in some part of life all of the time.
(Dane Ortlund, In the Lord I Take Refuge, p.281)

But, having “picked the scab”, having brought to the surface that every present, low-lying pain, this morning Psalm 102 also liberally applies the balm.

Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
       so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD:
that He looked down from his holy height;
       from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,
to hear the groans of the prisoners,
       to set free those who were doomed to die,
that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD,
       and in Jerusalem His praise,
when peoples gather together,
       and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.

(Psalm 102:18-22 EV)

Let this be recorded . . . He looked down . . . to hear the groans . . . to set free . . . that they may declare . . . His praise. That’s the meal this morning.

He looks, He hears, He sets free. Praise the Lord!

More than that — if there could be more than that — through the Son, He has experienced our pain and He has born our suffering (Isa. 53:4). Able to sympathize with our ever present weakness caused by our wounds (Heb. 4:15). Acutely aware that our frame is able to bear only so much alone and that, over time, the weight may well increase because of residual accumulations from trials past.

Jesus knows the weight. Thus, His invitation is new every morning:

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)

He looks. He hears. He sets free. Not from a distance, but from the intimate nearness that comes from our union with Christ, as we abide in Him and He abides in us (Jn. 15:4).

So, let this be recorded for a generation to come . . . Jesus saves and saves to the uttermost.

By His overflowing grace. For His everlasting glory.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!