Psalm 119:81 "My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word."
I realize not everyone can identify with what the Psalmist is saying in this
verse. Or, maybe everyone can identify with it to some degree or another. Have
you ever had something that ate at you on the inside to the degree that you
didn't know what would be the end result? Have you ever suffered with anxiety
over a situation that you really had no control over? Have you ever felt like
the world was against you? Have you ever felt conviction in your heart
because you did something you shouldn't have, or you did not do what you knew
you should have done? There are many other situations that could be grouped
with the thought of our minds being consumed by a situation.
With that backdrop and thinking everyone can identify in one way or another,
there is hope. Hope is so vital in our lives. In Romans 8:24, Paul tells us
"For we are saved by hope." It is understood that this saving, or
salvation, of which Paul speaks in Romans is the same "salvation" of
which the Psalmist speaks in our text verse. This saving, or salvation,
is a deliverance from the darkness that sometimes clouds our minds into the
sunshine of hope, or assurance, of the love, mercy, and grace of our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ. In that great light, there is peace and joy that comes
to us as we experience the intervention of God.
How can we know God will intervene in our lives? What is it that feeds our hope
even in the dark days of struggle and doubt that can spread through our thoughts
and cause such agony? The Psalmist says, "I hope in thy word."
I cannot over stress the importance of spending time in God's Word each
day. By reading the Word of God, we find the assurance that is needed to
overcome the dark shadows. We find the direction in which we can turn to find
that light that drives away all doubts and fears. We find that we can go boldly
to the very throne of God's grace and there we find mercy and grace to help in
our time of need. We find once again that God loves us absolutely and
unconditionally. May we be reminded this morning that when my mind
becomes darkened by troubles and struggles, that I can truly find hope in His
word.