“This is my comfort in my suffering, for your word has given me life’’ (v. 50)
We do not know what will happen in life, but none of us can expect to escape trials and suffering. “The righteous face many troubles” (Psalm 34:19). “Human beings are born to trouble” (Job 5:7). Even after we come to Christ, we still have troubles as we face trials and temptation from Satan. The person who wrote Psalm 119 loved God, but he faced suffering. Sometimes we think that people who are wealthy and powerful do not have problems. But they usually have more! We will face trouble whatever our situation in life is. We ask God to help us and He will help us through the trouble. But He usually does not take the problems away. He delivers us from evil, but He may let us face trials. When Daniel’s three friends were thrown into the blazing furnace, they experienced the presence of God Himself in the fire. He did not put out the flames or prevent them from being thrown in. But He was with them in the furnace (Daniel 3:25). God promises to be with us when we walk through the fire (Isaiah 43:2). All of us face suffering. But believers have a special comfort in suffering.
“This is my comfort in my suffering.” Our comfort comes from the Word of God. “Your promise revives me.” Believers have a special comfort when they suffer. Our comfort is different from the comfort of those who do not follow God. The world looks for comfort in drinking, in shopping, in material possessions, in pleasure—but those things ultimately fail to give true comfort. Others look for comfort in the sympathy of friends or the kindness of family. Where does the Christian find comfort? We have the Word of God full of God’s promises. This is our comfort. God’s Word revives us. Sometimes we hope to find pity and comfort from others, but we find that comfort from others never quite satisfies (see Job 16:2). When we are troubled, we need to turn to God’s Word and listen to Him. God promises peace to His people. We need to learn and treasure God’s Word so we can make it our comfort in times of trouble. It is God Himself who is our real comfort.
We don’t read the Bible just out of habit. We read God’s Word so that it may revive us and bring comfort to us. We know that whatever suffering we may face, that we belong to God and we are His children. He has given us life and this is a wonderful blessing.
Can you say that God’s Word has revived you and been your comfort? Do you have joy in hearing God’s Word? Sometimes God does not give the comfort we ask for, but He preserves us and helps us in our suffering. The most important thing is that we love God and follow Him with all our hearts. Sometimes when everything is going well, we don’t feel the need to pray. But when we suffer, we turn to God in prayer. God prunes us so that we will be even more fruitful. He comforts us in our suffering through His Word. Suffering makes us stronger if we respond with faith and turn to God. Sometimes we want to pray that God will deliver us from our trials, that we will have a life free of problems. But the road to heaven is narrow and we often face difficulties. God lets us face hard times so that we will learn to rely on Him.
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” We see the different trials the Psalmist faced in these verses. He was waiting for God to fulfill His promises. Sometimes we grow weary and wonder when God will give us what we are praying for. We do not receive the blessing we are seeking, but even then, God’s Word revives and keeps us. Our comfort is the Word of God. God’s Word revives us. Don’t try to run away from your troubles this year. Give all your worries and cares to God (1 Peter 5:7). Ask God to strengthen you through His Word. Then you will overcome your difficulties and go on your way to heaven singing praises to the Lord. “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your word preserves my life.”
OLAJIDE OGUNFUWA
Prayer:
1. My Father and my God, when I am faced with trials and temptation by the help of your word, grant me victory over the plans of the enemy, in Jesus name.
2. I ask for the grace to depend on you and experience your divine presence at the time of difficulties in my life, in Jesus name.
3. Let your word constantly teach me, lead me, guide me, comfort me, strengthen me and bless me, in Jesus name.
4. Let us ask God to magnify His Holy word above all principalities and powers that want to raise up their heads against the Church and her leaders, in Jesus name.
5. Let us ask for mercy upon our and that the Lord will give us a new beginning, in Jesus name.
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