Hope Harbor

“Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:49-50‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.119.49-50.NASB1995  The word of God can bring hope and comfort especially during difficult times. Five years ago I endured a life-threatening illness with a long hospitalization including many days in the intensive care unit. At one point while in the ICU I wondered if my time here on earth was coming to an end   I woke up one afternoon with a Bible verse clearly in my mind. “ My heart and my flesh will fail, butGod is the strength of my heart…” I asked God if I could please not be “done “because I felt as though there is still more for me to do. And here I am today still grateful for God’s steadfast promises that do indeed bring hope and comfort. “My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:26‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ https://bible.com

 “May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your word; So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:41-42‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.119.41-42.NASB1995 These verses prompt me to think that the more secure we are in the reality that God loves us and is very kind and grants to us life forever and, the more we can be stable and unaffected by negative opinions of others.  In our society today there are many ideologies and practices that are directly contrary to God‘s word. We can be steadfast in the truth as we continue to immerse ourselves in scripture and steadfastly stand for it God‘s principles and trust in His grace   https://youtu.be/56e3XFRtmY8

 “Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:38‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.119.38.NASB1995 According to this verse, we are told that it is God‘s word that brings us to deep respect value and awe-filled wonder for God.   It is meaningful to me that the word established is used in this context. To establish some thing means to make it firm and settled as true. God‘s word provides a firm foundation for our faith and worship. Therefore, it must be vital that we value God‘s word in order to enter into a deep reverential relationship with God of the universe. Because the solace makes this request it comforts me to know that this does not come about by our effort but we can humbly ask God to help us value the Scriptures and draw closer to him .  I have a very very dear friend who when you ask her how you can pray for her she responds that I would love Jesus more. This is such a noble requests that God will certainly honor.

 Do you ever feel like your spiritual stamina is less than it should be higher rate of growth is sadly slow? I do. Perhaps that’s one reason why this verse  is meaningful to me.  “I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:32‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ If our capacity to worship and to reverence God‘s word is too small, we need a bigger heart. And in this verse, God promises to give us one. We don’t have to just limp along in our spiritual walk. When God doesn’t work in our heart we can run with purpose willingness and vitality.  It’s so good to know the maker of my heart. https://youtu.be/Xkieshy3zBQ https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.119.32.NASB1995