Psalm 119:81-82

Psalm 119:81-82

My soul longs for your salvation;

I hope in your word.

My eyes long for your promise;

I ask, "When will you comfort me?"

Our souls' greatest need is God. It is when we are in distress, feeling distant from Him, that we begin to realize our need of Him. When we lack of Him, we call to Him. It is for Him we long.

But on what premise can we rightly trust God? How do we know He is faithful? Our hope comes from His word. We know God stands because His truth stands; it is unbound perfection (v. 96). His word will never fall (Is. 40:8).

As Jacob persisted for a blessing (Gen. 32:26), so our prayers must also be persistent in times of adversity. Let us always be hoping in God's word and longing for His promise and comfort. May we never give up seeking Him. Rather, long for Him, for in seeking we shall find.

Psalm 119:71

Psalm 119:71

It is good for me that I was afflicted,

that I might learn your statutes.

It is at times the most difficult of circumstances that brings about the greatest rewards. When can hardship be counted as good? Only when it works together for good (Rom. 8:28). It is not the affliction itself but the result effected by the affliction. Even in David's greatest struggle, he would eventually look back and see the benefit.

It is an essential practice of our faith to never waste affliction. We have full assurance that God always works for our good. Although we may not always be able to see that good, we can always trust Yahweh because He is faithful. Through suffering we can see more of him and learn to better obey Him.

This is the center of why difficulties are good for us. If an event pulls us closer to our God and His word, the pain is worth the bearing. Knowing Christ is of surpassing value (Php. 3:8). All that we do and all we endure must be aimed at Him.

Psalm 119:64

Psalm 119:64

The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;

teach me your statutes.

Even the vilest of sinners taste the greatest thing in all of life. Every day is an undeserved blessing for God to man, and all "are without excuse" (Rom. 1:20). The love of God is inescapable; He has connected it to the world. All that we see we see only because of the love of God. Our senses exist to touch and taste and see (Ps. 34:8) and hear and smell God's love. The world exists so that this love could be placed in it.

The very placement of God's love is an incomprehensible act: the eternal has been bound with the created, the infinite has come to the finite. After Adam and Eve's rebellion, faith was necessary. But love was there in the perfection of Eden. One day faith will no longer be needed, but love will always have a place (1 Cor. 13:2, 8-13).

That God's love would be even on one part of this world is incredible, and yet His love is so great that it is everywhere. We can claim with full assurance no matter where we are, "You are there!" as David did (Ps. 139:7-12). No matter where we are, God is there, and with Him is His steadfast love.