Today's Word of Encouragement

THE COMFORTING WORD

Wednesday, April 06, 2020

Remember the word to Your servant, in which You have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me (Psalm 119:49-50).

     Does the Bible give you hope? Do you find comfort in God’s Word? Who do you turn to when life has lost its pazzaz? As you read through the ‘Zayin’ section of Psalm 119 (vv. 49-56) you will begin to understand where King David is coming from in his gratitude for God’s Word. Notice:

               • He is afflicted (v. 50)

               • He is derided by the proud (v. 51)

               • He is indignant over the wicked (v. 53)

     David was persecuted by people who ridiculed his faith in God, mocked him in his trust in the Lord, put him to shame in his sins, and pressured him to turn away from God. We know these individuals included King Saul (who tried to kill him), his wife Michal (who mocked him for dancing before the Lord), his son Absalom (who derided him for having multiple wives and ran him out of town, taking over his throne), and many others. David was ‘a man after God’s own heart’ but he was also a man subject to the same pressures and persecutions we face.

     In the Zayin section, David tells us that the silver lining around the dark clouds of oppression is the Word of God. It gave him hope (yachal) - pause, patience, anticipation that God will get him through it. It gave him comfort (nechamah) - consolation, calmness, release from suffering. It revived him (chayah) - gave him life, sustained him.

     You wouldn’t think the Bible would have such an effect on a person, but the Bible is not just another book - it is God’s Word. It is the living Word. God speaks directly to us through His Word. He keeps His promises to His people. They can take refuge in Him and gain spiritual strength from meditating on His Word.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle (Psalms 103:1-5).

Pastor Martin