Text:

"49 Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. 51 The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. 52 When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord. 53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law. 54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. 55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law. 56 This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts. 57 The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words. 58 I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 59 When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; 60 I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments. 61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. 62 At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. 64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes!"
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Lexicon:
vs. 49 - remember - "to mark so as to be recognized, to bring to mind, to recollect, to be recalled to mind, to be remembered before God"

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vs. 49 - your word - "a promise, a precept, the Word of the Lord"

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vs. 49 - have made me - "have caused me"

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vs. 49 - hope - "to expect, to wait, to be patient, to be pained, to trust, to stay"

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vs. 50 - affliction - "depression, misery, poverty, trouble"

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vs. 50 - promise (God's promise to us) - "Word of God, the Torah, word or utterance, speech"

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vs. 50 - life - "to revive, to make alive, to restore to life, to nourish, to preserve, to be whole, to save"

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vs. 54 - house of my sojourning - "temporary home; wanderings; used of human life, in which man remains like a guest for a shorter time than he wishes"

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vs. 55 - in the night - "a twist away from the light, adversity, calamity, the midnight season"

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vs. 57 - portion - "smoothness, inheritance, an allotment" 

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vs. 57 - promise (our promise to God) - "to say, to bring to light, to will, to avow"

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vs. 58 - entreat - "to be weak, to be rubbed or worn, to beseech, to make prayer, to be worn down in strength, weary, to be pained, to be wounded"

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vs. 58 - your favor - "the face (the part that turns), the face of God"

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vs. 58 - be gracious - "to stoop in kindness to an inferior, to bestow, to bend, to move to favor by petition, to be favorably inclined towards, to be merciful and compassionate, to feel desire or commiseration toward anyone"

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vs. 61 - forget - "to mislay, to be oblivious of, to leave something to forgetfulness, from want of memory or attention" 

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vs. 64 - steadfast love - "kindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, love, zeal towards anyone"

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What does this reveal about God's character?

God is a promise-keeper.  His Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11) and He will fulfill every promise He has made in His Word (Joshua 21:45).  God is our comforter in times of affliction, depression, misery, poverty or trouble.  Our hope and salvation rest in Him.  God is our portion and inheritance.  He is full of kindness, goodness, mercy, love, and faithfulness. 

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Questions:

1) Do I believe God is mindful of me and inclined toward me?  Or have I been believing the lies of the enemy that say I'm forgotten or forgetful?

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2) Where does my hope lie?  Have I placed my trust in God?  Or have I put my trust in my abilities, my friends, my spouse, my career, my children, my talents?  

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3)  When I am in a dark season (i.e., affliction, depression, misery, poverty or trouble) do I draw my strength and comfort from God and His Word?  

 

4) Do I come before God, broken and weak and worn down, asking Him to fill me up again?  

 

5) Do I seek the face of God, to know Him intimately?

 

6) Even with the pain, suffering, hurt and death in the world and in my life, do I believe in the inherent goodness, faithfulness, mercy and love of the Lord?  Do I question God's goodness when bad things happen?

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Prayer:

Father God, thank you for remembering me.  Thank you for seeing me in my suffering and for inclining your ear to me.  I choose to cling to you when I am broken, weak, weary and afflicted.  I choose to look to you, Lord, to fill me up with your love and to comfort me with your promises in your word.  Keep my trust firmly rooted in you, no matter what comes my way.  I ask you to reveal yourself to me and help me to seek you always.  Lord, I know that you are good and that you are loving and merciful and kind.  I pray that you would forever fix my mind and heart on you.  I pray that even when bad things happen to me and to those I love, that I will not be moved, that my faith in you and your steadfast love will remain because my love for you isn't based on circumstances; my love for you is based on who you are as you have revealed through Scripture.  I love you, Lord, because you first loved me even though I was unlovable (I John 4:19).  Remind me of your goodness and faithfulness.  Let my thoughts and heart me transfixed on who you are, Lord.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!