Happy New Year! As we begin a new year, we look to the Lord for His guidance and thank Him for the many friends who pray for us. One of the gifts that Karen gave me at Christmas is a book entitled “Hopeward” by Dai Hankey, a pastor in Wales. Keeping our eyes on the Lord is vital to a life that is pleasing to Him. Here are some insights from Pastor Hankey: “The cross is such good news for crumpled heaps like us because it is here, at the foot of the cross, that we can finally be free of our burdens.
We can move on from the agony and shame that accompanies so much of our brokenness as we come to the one who was broken for us.
We can look our fear in the eye and repel it by the power of the perfect love of Jesus displayed at the cross (Romans 5:8) … We can cease striving to earn God’s smile though frenzied religious activity because Christ has robed us in his perfect righteousness and the Father now beams over us with the same degree of delight that he reserves for his beloved Son … Below is a selection of verses that I hope helps to underscore the beautiful truth that God’s word provides essential nourishment for weak and weary souls as they seek to press on hopeward.
When You Are Tempted
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. (Psalm 119:9, NIV)
When You Feel Down and Out
My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! (v. 25)
If Sorrow Has Exhausted You
My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! (v.28)
When You Are Being Taunted and Humiliated
Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who haunts me, for I trust in your word. (v. 41-42)
When All Seems Lost
My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. (v. 81)
When Anxious About the Present or the Future
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (v. 105)
There are three more references in Psalm 119 – verses 107, 114 and 169 – that declare the psalmist’s desire to go to God with his burdens.
May God be glorified in all that we say and do!
Scripture for the weekend: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)
Thought for the weekend: “The trials of life are the tools God uses to mature us, to build our faith, and to get us to trust the Spirit and not the flesh.” – Warren W. Wiersbe (from his book “The Strategy of Satan”)
Steve