Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Thoroughly Equipped”
Week 1 of 4: “The Scripture Leads Us!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Psalm 119 – Benefits of the Word!
We all have words that stick with us. Words that changed our thinking, motivated our action, or provide a quiet motto in the background of life. Perhaps some of those words were hurtful we can’t rid our mind of, but some are inspirational and are ones that still move us forward.
Often time these words come at challenging times in our life where we are faced with a large decision, a tough obstacle, or a setback that seems to crush us.
Words that are empty have no staying power. Words that are heartfelt, sincere and grounded in truth give us hope.
What are those words for you?
The Bible is full of memorable passages that give our hearts peace, hope and life. They are there to bring comfort in the challenges of life and hope for the future of life. Again some words from Psalm 119…today verses 49-52:
Psalm 119:49 Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.
I love this verse because it reminds me I can hold God to his promises. When he promises to be with me and I feel alone, I can pray boldly, “Lord, you promised to be with me, show me your presence!” When he promises that because of Jesus my sins are forgiven and I do not need to fear death, but look forward to life in heaven, I can be assured this hope is certain.
Psalm 130:7 7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
Sometimes life doesn’t seem to have an answer. An illness is greater than the ability to treat it. A financial crisis seems bigger than the ability to see your way out of. A tragedy brings a sudden change that seems almost impossible to rebound from. In these situations, only the promises of God sustain us, perhaps you hold on to this promise God made to Joshua:
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 119:51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law.
People make fun of those who “hold to religion” as a source of hope and direction to the future. To some it is a sign of “weakness.” Mocking is not a reason to turn from the Word, but to turn to it even more. Why? Because in it is wisdom that will eventually show the arrogant how foolish they are. Consider 1 Corinthians 1:18-19:
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Psalm 119:52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them.
How can something so old bring comfort today? Many like to discount the relevance of the Scripture today, but nothing could be more timeless and timely. The situations and the persons may be different, but the law of God, the promises of God and the truth of God still have relevance and impact today.
Perhaps one example is from the days after the flood where God promised he would continue to preserve and protect life. It is still true and real today.
Genesis 9:21 The Lord … said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. 22 “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”
Life has its joys and disappointments. Its challenges and successes. But the constant we can ALWAYS find comfort and hope is from the timeless and unchanging word of God.
Apply: Continue to work to choose 3-5 favorite “go-to” passages to memorize and recall when your soul needs comfort and hope.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your consistency to always have the right words for us at the right time to bring our hearts comfort and hope. AMEN!