“Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
because I have hoped in your word.
I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my delight.
Let the insolent be put to shame,
because they have wronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
Let those who fear you turn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
that I may not be put to shame!
My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word…
Forever, O Lord, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
I am yours; save me.” Psalm 119:73-81,89-94a
Pray I will cling. This request came from a beloved suffering friend, a cry of a soul desire in the midst of unthinkable affliction. Ah, clinging… holding on to the high and holy One we know and love, and gripping what is true. Grasping His promises, holding fast to hope, drawing strength from His presence. Of course, clinging is taking hold of the lifeline offered us, the way to calm and peace in the most tortuous and unlikely places.
In every trial, would we turn our trust from all that is transient and take refuge in Him, our home? Would we humble ourselves to be revived there? Would we cling, unswervingly, with every ounce of faith and strength, to our Lord and His sure and steadfast hope? Would we hold so tightly we hear His breath and feel His heartbeat, and there take comfort that He has us? (Isaiah 57:13,15; Hebrews 10:23)
When we are buffeted by cruelties of the present and uncertainties of the future, He is our sure Rock and unshakable foundation. When all is aswirl in emotion and events, threatening the stability of relationships, economies, and health, God our King is in full control. What need we release to take hold of Him?
“Jesus, I am resting, resting
in the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
of thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon thee,
as thy beauty fills my soul,
for by thy transforming power,
thou hast made me whole.
Simply trusting thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold thee as thou art,
and thy love, so pure, so changeless,
satisfies my heart;
satisfies its deepest longings,
meets, supplies its ev’ry need,
compasseth me round with blessings:
thine is love indeed.
Ever lift thy face upon me
as I work and wait for thee;
resting ‘neath thy smile, Lord Jesus,
earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
sunshine of my Father’s face,
keep me ever trusting, resting,
fill me with thy grace.” ~Jean Sophia Pigott (1876)
Lord, fix my hope in You as Your word is fixed in heaven, stable and sure.
As the rain and snow 