Today's Word of Encouragement

STRENGTH FROM SCRIPTURE
Sunday, May 03, 2020

     My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Your word (Psalm 119:28).

     All of us have faced times of disappointment and discouragement. In the midst of Job’s sufferings, his ‘friend’ Eliphaz said, . . . you have admonished many, and you have strengthened weak hands. Your words have helped the tottering to stand, and you have strengthened feeble knees. But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed (Job 4:3-5).
     I don’t know that Jesus was ever discouraged in the way we understand discouragement, but He did feel the emotional weight of being rejected as the Messiah of God. He wept over those who refused to repent of sin and turn to God. He told His disciples My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death (Mark 14:34).
     The ‘Daleth’ (D) section of Psalm 119 (vv. 25-32) reveals the impact God’s Word can have on a person who is discouraged.
    My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word (v. 25).
    My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Your word (v. 28).
     Billy Graham said, “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'” When such times come to us, we must turn to the Bible and hear God speak courage and peace and joy to us.
     To Joshua the Lord said, Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. . . No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them (Joshua 1:2,5-6).
     We have that same promise in Jesus Christ. All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20).
     For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
     . . . He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

Pastor Martin