wild rose*
2025. 4. 10. 19:00
Psalm 119:50
"My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life."
In the midst of extreme suffering, even when his life is at stake, the psalmist deeply experiences the heavenly comfort found in God's word.
Even in the midst of his trials, he clings to the comfort and hope that God's word provides.
In the deep darkness of affliction, God’s word revives him, gives him strength to live again, lifts him out of his suffering, and leads him to live with renewed hope according to the Lord’s will.
Through this passage, we are reminded once again of the promises of hope that God has given to each of us.
The sufferings and pains of this world often feel heavy and overwhelming,
but despite this, we never fall into despair.
Because the promises of God never change and remain forever.
God planned us from eternity past, fearfully and wonderfully formed us in our mother’s womb, and granted us life and breath as our Creator.
Each of us was born through the touch of God’s creation, and every moment of our lives is within His divine plan.
No one can ruin or bring an end to our lives apart from His will.
With full assurance that we are in God’s hands, we continue walking this earthly journey.
When we look back, no matter how we reflect on our lives, we see nothing but sin and rebellion.
Yet, when we remember the grace of God, who saved us despite our sin,
an unspeakable gratitude wells up in our hearts.
We no longer look to ourselves.
Instead, we hold firmly to the grace of Jesus Christ, who loves us and gave His life for us.
God has called each of us to be a part of His holy church, His body.
Within His church, we serve the Lord alongside our brothers and sisters in faith, sharing Christ’s love and fulfilling God’s will together.
As we reflect on the fact that we are alive today solely by God’s grace, we are once again overwhelmed by the depth and greatness of His mercy.
As we journey through this world, most of what we see appears dark.
Natural disasters, illness, suffering, conflict, and the many challenges we face often bring despair.
Yet, we realize that this life on earth is not all there is.
The word of promise that God has given us, His word of hope, keeps us steadfast no matter what hardships and afflictions we face.
There are times when the burdens of life feel too heavy to bear.
And under the weight of these burdens, we can easily become weary and discouraged.
Yet, even in such trials, there is a reason we can endure.
It is because the Lord, who created us and loves us even to the point of death, has given us His word of promise.
The Lord’s word lifts us up again and breathes new life into our souls.
We trust that His word will guide us to the very end.
Until the day the Lord stops my heartbeat, until the moment He takes my last breath and receives my soul,
I desire to hold firmly to His word and endure to the end.
No matter what suffering or pain may come, the promises of the Lord will sustain me.
Therefore, let us comfort one another, sharing in each other’s suffering and afflictions with the true comfort given by the Lord.
As fellow sojourners on this earthly path, may we walk together in faith
until the very end.
And at the end of this journey, we will joyfully embrace one another, longing to see our Lord, gazing upon His glorious face.
On that day, there will be no more sorrow or pain, but we will dwell in eternal joy and peace with our Lord forever.
A new day of grace has begun.
May we diligently read, hear, and meditate on God’s word today, holding fast to the word that gives true comfort, strength, and hope in times of trouble.
May this be a truly blessed day as we live by His word.
I bless you and bless you again in the name of the Lord!
Amen!
Church Everyone - P. Timothy Kim