My friend, a single man, eats the same meal each night. When I first found this out, I was quite surprised, and I didn’t think too well of the idea. But I kept listening and discovered that he has chosen to do this for two reasons. 1: so that he enjoys the meals he has to eat with others. And 2: he’s learned the hard way that these ingredients are what helps him to stay healthy.
I like variety in my meals. Having the same thing over and over and over – whether it’s food or routines of the day – doesn’t quite appeal to me.
Which is why this next section of Psalm 119 is so intriguing to me. Because our friend will share in verses 137 to 144 three very different scenarios of difficulty. And yet, for each one, the solution is the same. Let’s look into this:
First, our friend is surrounded by adversaries in verse 139. Enemies on all side means there is no easy way out or obvious escape. So, what’s the solution? The Word of God.
Righteous are You, O Lord, And upright are Your judgments.
Psalm 119:37
Next, our friend is rejected by others. He describes himself as small and despised. Small isn’t his height, but how other people view him. He’s not important or worth their time and notice.
So, what’s the remedy for this difficulty? Again, the Word of God.
Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it.
I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
Psalm 119:140-141
Well now, what about when the challenge is just the stress of life? It’s not people who are getting to you, it’s your troublesome circumstances. Can God’s Word still be the solution? Yes, because joy and delight are found in God’s righteous commandments. His Word is truth.
Trouble and anguish have come upon me, Yet Your commandments are my delight.
Psalm 119:143
So what about you? What is your go-to resource for trouble? Does it depend on the type of trial or enemy or situation you are facing? There’s only one resource that will always give you help, stability, and joy no matter what’s going on: the Word of God. Make time to read it today!