My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. ” The imagery in today's verse is quite vivid, and well describes the feelings we have when we are depressed, filled with grief, or laboring with serious sorrows. The Living Bible Translation of this verse adds just a bit of nuance, which is helpful in more fully "feeling" the words of the Psalmist: "I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with your words." Who hasn't had a time in their life when they could relate to these words? As the Christian theologian, David Powlison, put it: "Psalm 119 is the thoughtful outcry that rises when real life meets real God."
A natural part of life is sorrow, sometimes because of choices we have made, sometimes because of the choices of others, sometimes as a natural result of being mortal, and perhaps sometimes as a result of God's efforts to develop us into more holy beings. Regardless of why, we all know the feelings of "heaviness" that come at various stages of life. Heartache, grief, bouts of loneliness and despair can all weigh us down, cause the tears to freely flow, and make us feel as though that sacred part within is dying. And so, the Psalmist cries out, "Lord, strengthen me through your word." The author of the verse knows how to get relief. He knows where he can find perspective, understanding, and solace. God's word is an inspired repository of some of the most profound counsel ever uttered. And, as the Psalmist testifies, it can heal our hearts, lighten our heavy souls, conclude our crying. In our darkest moments, and when our hearts are heaviest, if we turn to the Lord's word, we will surely find the "encouragement and cheer" that we seek.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ” In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.
