When You Need Hope: A Look at Psalm 119

Before my youngest was born, I bought him a pale blue blanket and had his name stitched on one corner. It was the softest blanket and he quickly attached to it. (Actually, I ended up buying two of them in case we ever lost one. If you are a parent, you know why!). When he was younger, whenever my son was sad or scared, I could find him curled up in his blanket. For the longest time, it went everywhere with us, a comfortable and reliable companion in an often confusing and frightening world.

We all have things we run to for comfort. We all have instinctive, go-to, automatic things we turn to for hope, encouragement, and strength when we are weakened by the cares of this life.  More than likely, it's not a blanket. But it might be food, drink, television, shopping, work, social media, or exercise. It might be a person. It might be an experience. We turn to such things when life is hard in the hopes that it will rescue us, give us strength, or somehow make things better.

Psalm 119

The longest psalm in the book of Psalms is 119. David wrote all 176 verses about God's word. Each verse references God's word in some way, highlighting God's wisdom and truth.

"My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!" Psalm 119:28

This one little verse has a lot to tell us about strength and where to find it. First, the psalmist is crying out to the Lord, telling him of his sorrow. He turns to the only wise One, the King of the universe, the maker and sustainer of all things. He cries out to God in honesty, voicing the depths of his distress and trouble. 

Secondly, the psalmist asks for help. He asks for strength and seeks it from God in his word. The New Living Translation puts it, "encourage me by your word." The Psalmist is turning to God's word as his source of strength, hope, and encouragement during his time of sorrow. 

And what does the psalmist learn from God's word? Farther down, in verse 50 he wrote, "This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life." And further he wrote, "Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants. If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life." (89-93). God's word gave the psalmist life. 

Turn to God’s Word

When we are in the pit of sorrow, when we are frozen by fear, when we are weakened by the cares of this life, we need to turn to God's word. It is our strength. It's how God communicates with us. Through the Spirit at work in us, he uses his word to change us, correct us, comfort us, guide us, and equip us. 

As the author to the Hebrews wrote, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (4:12).  Paul wrote, "Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In John 17:17, Jesus said that the word sanctifies us. 

On this side of redemptive history, we have the complete word of God. All the promises that the psalmist hoped in have been fulfilled in Christ. Jesus is the Word made flesh. He is wisdom incarnate. He is the Word to whom the written word points. When we turn to God's word for strength, it reveals to us more of Christ, who he is and what he has done. It is in knowing Christ and being known by him that we find the only hope that matters.   

In our fallen nature, when the cares of this life weigh us down, we tend to turn to temporary comforts or solutions for help and strength rather than God. But they all pale in comparison. They fail to deliver or provide any lasting hope. But in reading, studying, and dwelling on God's word we find the Word, Immanuel, and in him is the source of all our hope and strength. 

These days, both of my son’s blankets sit on the shelf in his closet. He no longer needs them. Over time, he’s learned to turn to God when the cares of life overwhelm him, or he comes to my husband and I and asks us to pray for him. May we too cast aside the counterfeits, and turn instead to the real thing, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…” (Hebrews 6:19 NIV).

For Those Who Struggle With Change

My life seems to be changing at a faster pace than usual. If it were possible, it seems as though someone pushed fast forward on the movie of my life.

And I find myself unsettled by it. Out of breath at times. Spun around and disoriented.

I took my oldest to the pediatrician for his annual visit and learned that he is 5 foot 11. How did that happen? Last I checked, he was still 5 and playing with Matchbox cars.

I look in the mirror each morning and swear new lines and spots have appeared overnight. Not only that, but ever since I hit forty, my body has become a traitor. Every year there’s some new physical issue to deal with, some new thing that needs medical attention.

Good things are happening in my speaking/writing ministry, but sometimes the pace is faster than I can keep up with.

The world and culture around me often seems like a snow ball rolling down hill, growing bigger and stronger and unstoppable. I often feel out of place and out of touch. I wonder, how did we get here?

I don’t know about you, but I’m not such a big fan of change, as least change I don’t have control over. I certainly like new experiences, as long as they are ones I’ve pursued and chosen, and that they arrive at a time that best suits me. In truth, I like to know what to expect. I like to be prepared. I like when things are manageable. I don’t like to be overwhelmed or uncertain or ill-prepared.

And so, with my life in fast forward mode, I’m clinging to what is certain and steady. To what never changes. I’m looking to the horizon to keep me afloat in the whirlwind. I’m looking to God, the One who never changes.

Our God Never Changes

Unlike our lives, the Bible tells us that God never changes. “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6). The same God who spoke and light broke into the darkness is the same God who rescued his people from slavery. The same God who chose Mary to bear our Savior is the same God who met Peter on the shores of Galilee and said, “Feed my sheep.” The same God who gave grace to David in his sin is the same God who forgives us when we cry out in repentance. Yesterday, today, and forever, he remains the same.

The God who greeted Moses in Exodus 34 with, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” does not change in his character. No matter how much time passes, no matter what is going on in the world, our God— who he is—does not change. That means we can trust him to always be steadfast in faithfulness, generous in love, and rich in mercy. He is always good and always does what it right and just.

God’s Word Never Changes

Because God never changes, what he says does not change. Everything in his word remains true for all eternity. All that Scripture tells us about our world, our fall into sin, and what God did to save us, will never change. What the Bible tells us about who we are, what we need, and how God provides it, will never change. Whether people agree with God’s word or not, has no impact, for it is firmly fixed forever, “Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89). Into all eternity, God’s word remains: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

This means that all God’s promises for us will never change as well. When everything is changing around us, and it feels like we are riding in some kind of crazy spinning tilt-a-whirl, God’s promises to us in his word steadies us in the tumult. Promises such as: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39) and “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6) and “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Change is part of life. Some change is good— the kind we look forward to and have long prayed for. Sometimes change comes into our life and knocks us over. There may even be seasons of life where changes come at us quicker than we can respond. But no matter the change, we can find rest and peace in our God who never changes. He remains trustworthy and faithful. His word and promises anchor us. Let us look to him.

Photo by Jerry Kiesewetter on Unsplash

How do you remember?

I grew up in the suburbs outside Washington, D.C. and spent my childhood touring the museums, monuments, and memorials scattered around the city. It's where my classmates and I went for field trips every year. 

When I bring my children back to visit, I teach them about our nation's history as we walk from one monument to the next. When we pass an important federal building, I prompt their memories asking, "What happens in that building?" On a trip there this past summer, I brought them to the Arlington Cemetery where we visited President Kennedy's grave and watched the eternal flame dance in the afternoon heat. We talked about what the flame signifies and remarked on the placement of it, with a view of the Washington monument and the Capitol off in the distance. 

Everywhere you go in DC, there is something of historical significance. Most buildings are etched with words and images rich with meaning. Every monument, statue, and memorial stands as a reminder of who we are, where we've been, and where we desire to go. They remind us of our past, of important people and events that shaped our nation. Such reminders fuel our purpose and drive us forward. As the walls on the National Archives declare, "What's past is prologue."

Such memorials and monuments are not found only in a country's capital. We all create memorials in our lives, markers that remind us of our past. It might be family photos hanging on the living room wall. Many of us have a wedding ring encircling our finger. Some may have special ornaments they hang on the Christmas tree each year. We all make efforts to remember the past. Even our social media feed pops up images from a few years ago to remind us what happened in our life that day and we pause and smile at the memory. But we don't just remember the past simply for the joy of it; we remember because the past is part of us and it shapes our future.  

Such remembrances and memorials were important in Scripture. Joshua had representatives from each of the twelve tribes set up twelve stones to remember how God brought them through the Jordan River to other side (Joshua 4). God established regular feasts and festivals for his people to reflect and remember all he had done for them. Jesus established the communion meal as a time of remembrance where we dwell on his sacrifice on the cross for our sins. 

As limited and finite people, we need remembrances because we are prone to forgetfulness. We go about our days living as though we determine our plans and steps. We live as though we are the gods and goddesses of our kingdoms. We get wrapped up in the problems and trials of our lives and think we're the ones to rescue and save ourselves. We splash and flail in the rising waters as the storms of life toss us about and we forget the One who rules over the wind and waves. We forget who we once were before Christ and how we got to where we are today.

We need to remember.  

How do we remember who God is and what he has done? We remember when we read his Word each day. We remember when we gather with God's people and sing to one another of God's faithfulness and hear his word preached and feast on the bread and the wine. We remember when we give thanks for our daily bread and God's provision of grace in Christ. We remember when we testify to someone else of who we once were apart from Christ and who we are now because of what he did for us in his life, death, and resurrection. We remember when we preach the gospel to ourselves in the midst of our worries, fears, heartaches, and griefs. We remember when we unplug and take time to explore the wonders of God's marvelous works in creation. We remember when we engage in community face to face with other believers and rejoice together at the goodness of God in our lives, when we weep with and support one another through trials and suffering, and when we share with one another out of the provisions with which God has blessed us.

As we remember God's past grace toward us in Christ, it gives us hope and confidence in his future grace.

Numerous studies have shown that most Americans know little of their US history. Few know the meaning and stories behind the statues and monuments that dot the landscape of our nation's capital. A tragedy indeed. But it’s a greater tragedy when we as Christians forget who we are in Christ. When we forget the history of redemption. When we forget God’s amazing grace in sending his Son to save us from our sins. For the believer, it's not simply a matter of forgetting a few historical facts. It's not simply about walking down the streets of our nation's capital and missing out on the significance of what each building and monument represents. For the Christian, when we forget who God is and what he has done, we wander off the narrow path of life. We live like orphans rather than children of God. We start to seek life and hope in the creation rather than the Creator. Such forgetfulness is harmful to our life of faith.

Remembering who God is and what he has done is important. It's a spiritual act, a holy habit. Today, let’s take time to remember our rich history and heritage in Christ. 

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

1 Peter 4:8-9: Love for One Another

If you had one word to describe the church today, what would it be?

A quick scroll through social media and the word “divisive” might spring to mind. The world might use the word “insignificant” or “shrinking” or even “hypocritical.” Perhaps as you consider your own church setting, you might think “safe haven” or maybe “family.”

But what about the word “love”?

The Apostle Peter’s letter to the Christians in Asia Minor encouraged believers to endure suffering, just as Jesus suffered for them on the cross. In Peter’s day, the Christians scattered abroad experienced persecution. They struggled to live out their faith in places where they were not welcome. What would it look like for these early Christians to serve Christ in an increasingly hostile world?

Much of 1 Peter anchors his reader’s hope in what Christ did at the cross and in their eternal inheritance to come. In chapter four, he called them to respond to their suffering in ways that glorified and obeyed Christ. He wanted them to live not as the Gentiles did, but as those who have been set free from sin.

One of the ways they were to live out their faith in a pagan society was by showing love for one another.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4:8-9)...to read the rest of this post, visit Servants of Grace.

In Days Like These

I don't know about you, but I am often troubled by watching the news. When I scroll through social media and read the headlines, I sometimes feel downright queasy. Whether I read about disturbing political events in our nation and around the world, or shocking stories from within the church, I am left overwhelmed. It often feels like the earth is shifting under my feet. Everything seems uncertain, topsy-turvey, and inside-out.

It's hard not to feel confused. Angry. Frightened. Unsafe. In days like these it's important to look away from what's happening around us and beyond to see the bigger picture.

In John's day, Christian's faced persecution from the Roman Empire. The church seemed small and weak in comparison. And the persecution would only get worse. He wrote the book of Revelation to show them the world as it really is and to give them the big picture of our conquering King and the glory to come. 

"After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind...and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4).

When all we see is sin and darkness all around us, we need a fresh reminder of the holiness of God. We need to remember the One who sits enthroned above all other rule and authority, who rules and reigns over the universe. This One determines the course of history and turns the hearts of kings like water. Our thrice holy God has always been and will always be. 

For the early church, and for us as well, we need to remember our King, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Lamb who was slain:

"And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth... And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb...And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5)

When it seems like evil is winning and the church is fractured and everything is upside down, we need a reminder like John gave those early Christians. We need to remember our Savior rules from on high, that he conquered sin and death, and that he will come to judge the earth and make all things new. 

The book of Revelation is important to turn to in days like these. It remind us of what's really going on and gives us hope that all is not lost. Evil has not won. The church, though weak and small at times, will never be destroyed. Because there is One who is worthy: Jesus Christ. He is the Messiah who came to fulfill all God's purposes and plans. He is both a mighty lion and a sacrificial lamb. He won the battle and reigns in triumph. And he is moving redemptive history forward to its culmination when all things will be made right, when sin and sorrow are no more. 

It's no wonder all of heaven bursts into song: 

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”

So when the latest news gives you pause or even makes you want to run for the hills, open the Word and remember our thrice holy God who sits upon the throne of the universe. Let your heart rejoice and sing, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

Who are You Imitating?

I recently took a teen from my discipleship group on a tour of my alma mater. We listened to a professor speak on the purpose of attending college. He said, “Your professors willinfluence and shape you, so you need to ask yourself, Are my professors people I want to be like?”

It’s true; we often become like the people we’re around. Even if we don’t know them personally, we’ll often model ourselves after people we admire. Whether we copy fashion choices after a Hollywood starlet or adopt a famous preacher’s teaching style or take on the beliefs and attitudes of our parents, we mimic and imitate others.

The question is, who are we mimicking? And are those the people we ought to mimic?

Holy Mimicry

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Philippian church, encouraging them in their faith. They were the first church he planted in Europe, and they played an active role in his ministry, even supporting him financially when other churches would not.

Compared to other churches, the church at Philippi was healthy. Even so, Paul did not want them to give up their progress. He wanted them to push forward and continue to grow and mature in their faith. And he exhorts them to do this by imitation.

One of the themes throughout the letter is Paul’s call for the church to imitate the godly: “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us” (Phil. 3:17). He held up Timothy, as well as Epaphroditus (who was delivering the letter), as models worthy of imitation:

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too maybe cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worthy, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. (Phil. 2:19–22)

Of Epaphroditus he says, “So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men” (Phil. 2:29). Epaphroditus is worthy of honor, as are men like him.

Paul assumes we will mimic and imitate others...

To read the rest of this post, visit The Gospel Coalition.