Misery

“Misery” - Judges 10:16

Misery is an interesting word, appearing 7 times in the AV1611, because it means “distress,” calamity, and unhappiness. It is also associated with the word “covetousness” according to Websters 1828 Dictionary. Covetousness is idolatry according to Colossians 3:4, and Israel was “sore distressed” (verse 9) because of their idolatry.

God is a God of emotions and feelings unlike the “strange gods” of the heathen, which is why it says his “soul was grieved” because of the misery of Israel. In Revelation 3:17 God says that the church age will end being “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

Misery is a condition of the heart and mind. It is a “broken spirit” not caused by “natural evils” but rather by the desire of one’s heart contrary to the desire and will of God. It is, “the fruit of vice reigning in the heart, as tares are the produce of tares sown in the field.” This type of misery will leave a person distressed and depressed until confession (“we have sinned”) and repentance is made (“put away the strange gods”).

Many end up being miserable because their hope is only in this world and in the things or stuff of this world. For the Christian, “This world is not (our) home, we’re just a’passing through. Our treasure are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.” Paul puts it this way, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

We should be of all men be most hopeful and joyful, if our heart is set on heaven and the God of heaven. But sadly too many are of all men most miserable because their heart and affections are set on things below “ruled” by the strange “god of this world.” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Lift up your heart and your head, Christian, for the day of Christ is at hand, and our redemption draweth nigh.