Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 2-145 Sunday 21 Jul 2002

Reading – Psalm 119:41-88 PROMISE AND HOPE

(From ‘Encounter with God’ Bible Reading Notes)

‘O how I love all you’ve revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long.'(v 97, The Message)

In a graphic image, the psalmist sees himself as a wineskin in the smoke. Wearied by the attacks of the wicked, worn down by the pressures of life, he cannot see a way forward. For him, little makes sense. We can no doubt identify with this; there are times when it really does not seem worth going on. Weariness, depression or discouragement overtake us.

This is not his final word. Running through these verses like the repeated chiming of a clock are the words ‘promise’ (vs 41, 50, 57, 58, 76, 82) and ‘hope’ (vs 43, 49, 74, 81). There is a way forward even in the darkest moments, a way through the valley of the shadow (Ps 23:4), a lifting from the pit (Ps 40:2). It lies in the faithfulness of God. His word can be trusted whatever the circumstances, because it reflects his character of unfailing love (vs 41, 76).

‘Promise’ and ‘hope’ speak of a future – something that we can look forward to with confidence. There may be a wait that causes our soul to faint (v 81) and our eyes to fail (v 82). Many of the psalms record this waiting (v 84), often in the middle of pain and doubt. The writers cry out to God with both honesty and agony, puzzled and perplexed by God’s apparent delay. Again we can identify with this; in an age of instant answers and immediate gratification, the problem has an even sharper edge. But character and faith are formed by waiting in the darkness (1 Pet 1:6,7), hanging on in the smoke. Even as we wait and cry out, the promise brings hope (v 41) and refreshment (v 50). God’s Word sustains us in the dark times.

Where is hope failing today? What will your prayer be? What else might you do?

– John Grayston

Copyright Scripture Union, 2002

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