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"81 My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. 82 My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?” 83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes. 84 How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me? 85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law. 86 All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! 87 They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. 88 In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. 89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. 91 By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants. 92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. 94 I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. 95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies. 96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad. 97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged for I keep your precepts. 101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. 102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."

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Lexicon:
vs. 81 - longs - "to be completed or finished, to be prepares, to be made ready, to be consumed"

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vs. 84 - endure - "the heat of the day, perpetually, time with no reference to days, lifetime"

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vs. 86 - sure - "firm, secure, faithful, stable, moral"

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vs. 88 - life - "to live well, to flourish, to continue safe and sound, to recover health, to restore life, to keep alive"

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vs. 89 - firmly fixed - "to set, to place, to stand firmly, to fix, to establish, to be planted or settled"

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vs. 90 - stands fast - "to sustain, to remain, to endure, to preserve"

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vs. 92 - perished - "to be lost, to lose oneself, to wander, to perish, to be destroyed, to give up as lost"

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vs. 94 - save me - "to set free, to preserve, to be safe, to aid, ample space (applied to liberty, deliverance from dangers and distress)"

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vs. 95 - consider - "to distinguish, to separate, to stand apart, to understand, to perceive, to turn the mind to anything, to know, to be acquainted with, to be prudent"

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vs. 96 - limit - "an end, an extremity (border)"

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vs. 96 - broad - "long, broad, spacious, extending widely every way, ample, God's law is copious and infinite"

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vs. 97 - love - "to desire, to breath after anything, to desire, to delight in anything, to be verdant and germinate"

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vs. 99 - understanding - "to wisely understand, to be prudent, to look at, to behold, to teach, to be successful in carrying anything on"

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vs. 101 - hold back - "to close, to shut up, to restrain, to prohibit in respect to anything"

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vs. 102 - taught - "to cast, to lay foundations, to water, to be shot through with darts or arrows, to send out the hand, to show, to instruct"

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vs. 103 - sweet - "to be smooth or pleasant"

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What does this reveal about God's character?

God is our only salvation.  He is the only one who can deliver us from our pain and struggles that seem to last a lifetime.  God is the giver of life.  It is He who sustains us and restores us to life and health.  God is forever faithful, and His word is perfect.  God is our teacher.  He instructs us in His way through His word, and then releases us as a parent releases a child into the world.  He directs and determines our steps, as an archer determines where to release his arrow.   

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Questions:

1) Have I received the salvation of the Lord?  If not, please visit our Resources page. 

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2) What struggle am I enduring right now that seems to last a lifetime?  Do I endure alone or do I dwell in and lean on Jesus to help me through?

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3) Do I look to Jesus to sustain me?  

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4) What are some ways that I have seen God's faithfulness in my life?

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5) Am I teachable?  Do I allow Jesus to open my eyes to understand His word?  Or am I headstrong against the Lord?

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6) Do I love God and His word, as if it is the breath in my lungs?  Have I made His word a part of my very being? Or have I been stubborn and hardened against the Lord?

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Prayer:

Father God, life is hard.  Some days, the pain and suffering never seem to end.  It's hard to trust in you when death and fear are staring me in the face, as a very real and tangible enemy.  But, I have seen your faithfulness countless times in my life.  My heart and mind believe in your faithfulness and steadfast love, even when my feelings and logic try to make me doubt your goodness.  I choose to trust in your word, for it never fails (Romans 9:6).  I choose to trust in your way, for it is higher than mine (Isaiah 55:8-9).  And, I choose to trust in you, for you will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  I look to you and your word, Lord, to sustain me and give me life. Help me to remain open and teachable to you, so that I may bring you glory and be counted as righteous.  Give me a love for you and your word that will not be swayed by the storms of life.  As my body needs breath to live, so my soul needs you. Soften my heart toward you, and let me be clay in your hands (Isaiah 64:8).  I surrender myself to you and I let go of anything I am holding on to that needs to be released into your loving and faithful hands.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!