Life is filled with many ups and downs. While we all enjoy the ups, the downs of life can cause a variety of emotions such as grief, tears, etc. One problem that can occur during the downs of life is that we can grow distant from the Lord and His Word. The psalmist has a different view on how to deal with the downs of life indicating that they can be used to draw us closer to the Lord.
In Psalm 119:25 and 28, the psalmist describes how his soul both clings to the dust and weeps because of the difficulties of life. Rather than stay this way, the psalmist looks to the Lord’s Word to do two things. First, he says that the Lord’s Word will revive him. The Hebrew word for revive (chayah) means to restore to life or to make alive again. Second, he says that the Lord’s Word will strengthen him.
“In the dark spots of life, when our soul melts in tears, the God of all comfort bends low and often with a single verse of Scripture lifts us and strengthens us to go on.”[1]
Although life is filled with many ups and downs, God’s Word is there to revive and strengthen us. Where are you turning during the downs of life?
Blessings,
Pastor Steven
[1] William MacDonald. The Believer’s Bible Commentary, pg. 674.