RPG Adults
GOD’S WORD KEEPS YOU FROM BEING ASHAMED
FRIDAY, MARCH 1
Psalm 119:116-117
Isaiah 41:10-14
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed;
for I am thy God…”
GOD’S WORD KEEPS YOU FROM BEING ASHAMED
Disappointments are constant appointments in life. Christians also get confounded and confused. Believers are ridiculed for their beliefs and practices. In such a troublous case, the psalmist cries to God to let him not be ashamed of his hope. He seeks God’s help and strength before the eyes of the unbelievers.
It upholds: This is pleading for God to bear him up while he faces taunting accusations. He desires to be established according to God’s Word. The psalmist begs the Lord to cause him to be steadfast in his faith and service to God, to sustain and maintain his witness as a servant of God. He leans on God and takes hold of His promises. Indeed only God can uphold him, no one else can. The psalmist relies on the faithfulness of God and seeks for His support for all of life’s troubles.
It holds up: Here the psalmist pursues the comfort of God. No one can refresh him from all the mockery of the unbelievers and even professing Christians. His strength is in the Lord and he beseeches the Almighty God to hold him up as he continues to serve Him. To be upheld is his greatest need in times of disappointment when people think that God has failed.
We need God’s upholding and holding us up. The psalmist understands that he needs strength as well as comfort. We can face disappointments with courage and boldness, but we also need peace and consolation when we are put to shame falsely. God allows disappointments to test our faith in His Word. It is also through His Word that we can have hope when things go wrong.
Dear reader, the Lord’s upholding of man is for Him to be glorified. It should not make man proud and self-reliant. The power and basis of our consolation is God’s Word. Let us draw near to Him to be strengthened and comforted, to the glory of His name!
THOUGHT: Am I trusting God fully in disappointing circumstances?
PRAYER: O Father, may I run to Thee for help always.