Treasure

Tuesday February 24, 2026

Treasure.  I knew the subject which I wanted to write about this morning but wanted to find the right word for the title.  I have found great comfort and help from the Book of Psalms, and I hope you have too.  The opening of our psalm this morning conveys that the psalmist is in a desperate state, “God listen to my prayer and do not hide from my plea for help.  Pay attention to me and answer me. I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint” (Psalm 55:1-2).  As we read on, we can feel the weight and despair of the psalmist.  I want to pause, to address a side note.  At least twice, the psalmist writes about his “complaint” or “groaning” (v.2 and v.17).  How is this different from the grumbling and complaining we have talked about in our time in Hebrews as the writer of Hebrews describes the complaints of Israel in the wilderness with Moses?  They were grumbling and complaining about God, while the psalmist is bringing his complaint to God.  One shows a lack of trust in God while the other displays faith.  As we read on in our psalm, we see a description of society/culture in the city the psalmist sees, “Crime and trouble are within it; destruction is inside it; oppression and deceit never leave it marketplace” (v.10-11). It is easy for us to look at the deterioration of our cities and feel as if this is the first time this has ever happened in the history of the world.  Yet, when I read this psalm, I can relate our current state to what the psalmist is describing, can’t you?  Then we get to the real hurt in the psalmist.  What is described is a hurt from a friend.  Had it been an enemy, the psalmist states knowing how to handle that, but the hurt from a friend is devastating.  It is in this despair that we receive great instructions.  The psalmist, trying to navigate the pain, writes “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken” (v.22), and then concludes the psalm with “But I will trust in You” (V.23).  If you find yourself restless and in turmoil like the psalmist, you have been given great instructions – cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you!  In times of hurt and restlessness, it is also important to know that you are not alone in what you are experiencing.  Sometimes it feels as if no one has ever suffered or hurt like you are hurting.  No one understands.  I title this post “Treasure” because I was reminded that someone else, the psalmist, had to endure great pain for God to use him and that circumstance to bring this word of hope.  I would not have this Word had the psalmist not endured such pain.  Ultimately, it is Christ, our Savior, who endured great pain and loss, suffering as a man, to bring to us a Word of hope.  We would not have this Good News in time of despair had He not suffered.  This Word, what a Treasure!