I read this verse today and thought it encouraging and timely for some of the things “afflicting” our family at the moment. Last Sunday morning we talked about the call to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised in faithful” (Heb. 10:23). These verses reflect so clearly the spirit of one who “holds” to Him who is faithful. Listen to the Psalmist’s devotion to God. Hear his determination to trust the Lord, to trust is His intentions, and refuse to turn from the One who has made him.
Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous,
and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promises to your servant.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
(Psalm 119:73-77)
The Psalmist’s resolve is to obey. His resolve is to hold unswervingly despite his affliction — accepting his affliction as coming from God!
By faith, when everything is going all wrong, we can trust that everything is actually going all right! From our Wednesday reading: “God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:20). Nothing happens outside the view and will of our God. Your affliction may be just what God prescribed. We know his will is for us to to be faithful and to grow in that faith. Putting all these thoughts together we can better understand that…
“God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
The first thing to surface in our trials is our weakness. Perhaps that’s what God wants us to see, to let us know what he is working on in us. Our job is to let him. Our job is to rely on his strength to overcome our weakness.
When one dies, we may be called to bury some feelings of hurt from other family members with forgiveness. When the unexpected happens and plans and dreams are altered, it may be time to seek God’s path for us instead of our own. When the very foundations upon which we have built our sense of security crumble right underneath of us, maybe it’s time to rebuild on the Rock of God and His eternal promises.
At least two things are always certain when nothing else is: God is always with you, and he is working to draw you into deeper faith. He promises, “Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).
May God’s unfailing love be your comfort according to the promises he has made to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. May his compassion come to you, and may you remain obedient. Hold unswervingly, for the One who has promised is faithful!
Do you see obedience to Christ as a “have to” or a “want to?” Jesus says a remarkable thing to his disciples, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching” (John 14:23a).