TOPIC: HOPE IN GOD’S WORD

TEXT: Psalm 119:49-56
49. ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

50. This is my comfort in my affliction; for thy word hath quickened me.

51. The proud have had me greatly in derision; yet have I not declined from thy law.

52. I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

54. Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

55. I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

56. This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

“Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.” – (Psalm 119:49).

MESSAGE 

German pastor Paul Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home during the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th Century. One night as they were lodged in a small village inn, homeless and afraid, his wife broke down and cried openly in despair. To comfort her, Gerhardt reminded her of Scripture promises about God’s provision and safety. Then going out to the garden to be alone, he too broke down and wept. He felt he had come to the darkest hour.

Soon afterwards, Gerhardt felt the burden lifted and sensed anew the Lord’s presence. Taking his pen, he wrote a hymn that has brought comfort to many: “Give to the winds thy fears; hope, and be undismayed; God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head. Through waves and clouds and storms He gently clears the way; wait thou His time; so shall this night soon end in joyous day.”

The psalmist, in our text, was in great affliction because the proud had him in derision. Horror took hold of him because of the wicked that had forsaken God’s law. Fortunately, the statutes of the Lord were his song in the house of his pilgrimage and he sought fulfilment of the promises of His word on which he had placed his hope.

Like the psalmist, people often become hopeless because of hardship, illness, lack, unanswered prayer, unemployment, fear of the unknown, marital challenges, financial crisis, unfulfilled dreams or desires, disappointment, family problems among other life challenges. Despite these challenges, it is still not good to lose hope.

Our hope must be rooted in the word of God and specifically, in the promises contained in His infallible word. God’s promises in the Scripture will surely be fulfilled, irrespective of prevailing circumstances. Therefore, encourage yourself in the Lord and His words.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The word of God has solution to all life challenges.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Leviticus 21 – 24

DCLM Daily Manna 7th September 2022 | Hope In God’s Word