GOD'S WORD IN TIMES OF DESPERATION

Psalm 119:81-88 says, "I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word. My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me? I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees. How long must I wait? When will you punish those who persecute me? These arrogant people who hate your instructions have dug deep pits to trap me. All your commands are trustworthy. Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause. They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments. In your unfailing love, spare my life; then I can continue to obey your laws." What should we do when we are worn out and still waiting for God's deliverance? We may feel like giving up. We may begin to think that God doesn't care about us anymore. We keep on praying, but it seems like nothing is happening. We are still in the same situation and doing our best to get through each day. We are searching for an oasis to help us escape our overwhelming stress. The writer of this Psalm gave us an example of what we need to do in times of desperation. He never abandoned his faith in God and looked to God's Word for comfort. 

He was willing to wait for God's deliverance while he rested in God's Word. He mentioned that his enemies almost killed him, but still believed in God's Word. During World War II, a Christian prisoner in a Japanese prison camp found pages of the Bible in the toilet, where they were used as toilet paper. Out of his desperation and not knowing if he would survive for another day, he took those Bible pages and meditated on them. God used them to comfort and give him the courage to go through his sufferings. Although he didn't have the entire Bible, he treasured all the pages that he discovered and held on to the promises of God. We may be going through an unbearable situation right now, and it seems we are feeling like giving up. But God encourages us today not to give up. He is encouraging us to maintain our faith and spend time in His Word. Let us listen to His Word as it brings us encouragement and guidance. In due time, we will experience His deliverance.

God loves and cares about us. He understands what we are going through. The Apostle Paul wrote these words when he was suffering imprisonment, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). Let us hold on to our faith and trust God's Word because He is with us in our time of desperation. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What should I do when I am worn out and still waiting for God's deliverance? Why is giving up not a good option for me to do? What does God promise me in His Word during my times of desperation?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, you are the God of love and the one who cares for me. Please strengthen me spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically as I wait for your deliverance. You have the answers and solutions that I am looking for. Please help me to walk by faith and trust in your promises today. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.