Trusting When In Trouble

By Reverend Michael Farias

I wasn’t at my best recently when my routine daily Bible reading and study brought me to Psalm 119. I’ve read it many times before, and I really wasn’t looking forward to diving into the longest chapter in the entire Bible - it has 176 verses!  I often find it boring, but that wasn’t the case today.

Perhaps the difference was that today I was in trouble, and in need of a booster shot in my ability to trust God and find His peace.  Over and over again a certain word seemed to jump off the pages and right into my eye.  That word was the word “word.”  I counted; the word “word” is seen in Psalm 119 a whopping 42 times.

It is understood that King David penned Psalm 119.  It is also understood that David was no stranger to having trouble in his life.  If you know anything about David, you know he suffered from physical affliction, loneliness, heartbreak, and more.  Yet he was able to find relief, peace and contentment in spite of all the issues that were in his face.  How did he do it?  Psalm 119 gives us some insight and a pattern to follow.

It was the Word of God that comforted David and gave him the courage to continue his mission in life.  Below are just a few of the Words from Psalm 119 that caught my eye.

11 Your word I have hidden in my heart.

16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

25 My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.

28 My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.

42 So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
49 Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.

76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your word to Your servant.

81 My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word.

89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.

103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

107 I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.

114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live.

133 Direct my steps by Your word.

140 Your word is very pure; Therefore Your servant loves it.

147 I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word.

148 My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.

160 The entirety of Your word is truth,

162 I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure.

I trust that these words will help you to trust, as they have helped me.

In closing, I want to point out something obvious.  David knew the word of God.  It is only by knowing the Word of God that we can find comfort, courage and confidence in God.  This is how you trust when in trouble.

72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

127 Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!

Have a Greater Than Gold day.