Psalm 119:49-56
49 Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law.
52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law.
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember your name, that I may keep your law.
56 This has been my practice: I obey your precepts. [1]
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What struck me this passage is verse 50. The psalmist finds comfort in his suffering through the promises of God. In fact he credits God’s promises with saving his life.
My mind immediately went to thinking about people that I know who are going through great suffering right now. In some cases it’s health-related. For others it’s relational, family tension. For others it’s grief. I had no trouble thinking of names of those whom I know well who are dealing with a great load of suffering right now. And the more I thought about it, the more came to mind.
There is a lot of suffering in this fallen world. How badly we need a savior. Not just a quick fix and a temporary relief of the pain – although that is much desired and should be prayed for. But we need a more radical and eternal solution. And this is what we have in the promises of God concerning the salvation we have in him. Not just a cure for the symptoms, but rather at its root.
On the cross Jesus took all of the suffering at its root on to himself. In His resurrection He ushered in the New Creation, where there will be no curse, sin, fallenness or suffering. The promises of God’s love and the new creation give us hope because we know that the suffering of the present, no matter how severe, will end and will not define our eternal existence. Our eternal destiny is defined by the love of a God who suffered for us. And that gives true comfort.
So I am praying today for those I know who are suffering. I am praying that they will find comfort in the promises of God.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Ps 119:49–56). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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