Blessed Thursday to each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, your Savior!
Today's Psalm is a short section from Psalm 119, the longest of all the psalms. The psalmist is praying for help and strength as he struggles to lead a God-fearing and God-pleasing life in the face of persecution. In his prayer "When will You comfort me?", he is praying for peace and relief from feeling dried and shriveled up like a wineskin over the heat and smoke of a fire. In the end, the psalmist prays not for the death of his enemies, but that God would give him life, that God would sustain, nourish and strengthen him so that he may remain steadfast in Godly living.
Psalm 119:81–88
81 My soul longs for Your salvation; I hope in Your word.
82 My eyes long for Your promise;
I ask, “When will You comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten Your statutes.
84 How long must Your servant endure?
When will You judge those who persecute me?
85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to Your law.
86 All Your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken Your precepts.
88 In Your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of Your mouth.
Today, are you feeling like a dried-up wineskin? Is your skin even a bit wrinkled, perhaps you're feeling empty and used-up? Are you longing for God to answer you; "When will You comfort me?" Sickness & disease often plague us, sometimes chronically, without end. How long must Your servant endure?, we pray. If these are not your prayers today, I'll bet you've endured these feelings before.
As you long & hope for God's promise-keeping, notice what He tells you in verses 86 and 88. God's commands, all that God tells you, including His promises, are all sure! When the only true God, who created and sustains the entire universe tells you His promises are sure, BELIEVE HIM!
Because God loves you forever, He also cares for you, He forgives you and He has saved you from the sin punishment you deserve. In His steadfast love, God does give you life; abundant life, forgiven life, a life at peace with God. Even when God allows you to struggle and requires you to wait for His answers, His abundant & steadfast love never wavers, His love never weakens, nor does God's love ever go away! Be SURE of that!
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Mark
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS Burton, Michigan
office: 810.744.1188
We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:
Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.
Soli Deo Gloria
"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9
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