Monday, August 27, 2007
Psalm 119:49-50 Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.
COMFORT FROM THE WORD
When Paul and Barnabas traveled through Asia minor on their first missionary journey, they went from city to city "preaching the Word of God" (Acts 13:5). When they came to the city of Derbe at the foot of the Taurus Mountains, they turned around and went back to the cities they had previously visited, strengthening and encouraging the believers in those cities saying: "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). An intriguing message, don't you think?
In Antioch the Jews, jealous because of the people who were believing in Jesus as the Christ, instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them from the city. At Iconium an attempt was made to stone them. In Lystra Luke tells us that the Jews finally did get their hands on Paul, stoned him, and left him, supposing he was dead.
While we live in a country which offers us the freedom to proclaim Jesus as the Christ without fear of persecution, these words of Paul also apply to us. We each go through our own tribulations: health problems, marriage difficulties, financial struggles, and the list goes on. "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).
At such times it is easy to lose heart, but the Psalmist reminds us where our strength to face such situations comes from: the Word of God! When afflicted by sorrow, pain, loss, or whatever else might come, the Psalmist took comfort in the Word of God which gave hope and life. When you face the tribulations of life, turn to the Word and promise of our great God for comfort, hope and Life!
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 427:1)
