Best keep your eye on the horizon, they’s meanness about.”
–Cliff Hudgins (Viejo and the Hunted Ranger)
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with your forever… I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with your forever… I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
–John 14:16,18 (NASB)
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“The shadow of the sun and moon in the water seems to shake as much as the water it shines upon. Yet for all this seeming shaking here below, the sun and moon go on in a steadfast course in heaven. So the psalmist tells us that, however our hearts stagger at a promise through unbelief, and our unbelief makes us think that the promise is shaken, God’s Word stands firm, though not in our hearts, but in heaven.”
–Anthony Tuckney
Have you ever doubted God’s word? Does it seem shaky and at times unbelievable? Perhaps it is not God’s word that is shaky, but your faith. In fact, when our faith does shake and may even be shaken by circumstances that when we need to go to God’s unshakeable word. Psalm 119 tells of a personal journey of an individual who strengthens his faith by God’s Word.
.81 — My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word. (NKJV)
— My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. (NIV)
There are times in our lives that we simply must endure, that is when we grasp onto the truths of God’s word. Look at this verse: salvation is needed from enemies; his soul was in need of deliverance, and he was faint, collapsing, caving in, no more strength. There was nothing that could help, no deliverance except to trust in the word of God. His promises are sure! Hope in His word is our anchor; hope in His word increases our persistence. Charles Bridges stated, “We depend not on what we see or feel, but on what the word promises.”
.89 — Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. (NASB, NKJV, KJV)
The ESV and the HCSB translate slightly different, –God’s word is “firmly fixed in the heavens.” That brings assurance, something that I can count on depend upon and place my soul upon. We should never forget what God has been teaching us, in fact, Paul reiterates this when he writes to Timothy and Titus–hold firm to the truth. Spurgeon said, “Jehovah’s Word is not fickly or uncertain; it is settled, determined, fixed, sure, and immovable.” We are to build upon the Rock–the sure foundation where the storms of life cannot sweep them away. “If His Word does not fit with the standards of the world, then the only conclusion for a Christian is that His Word is right, and that the world has got it wrong!” (David G. Pulman)
.105 — Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (NASB, NKJV, ESV, HCSB, NIV, NLT, KJV)
Notice the above, all translate this verse the same! There are a couple of slight changes in the Holman, “lamp for” and “light on”. This is a verse that should give us hope and comfort. Peace emanates from this verse if we take it to heart. Spurgeon says, “One of the most practice benefits of Holy Scriptures is guidance in the actions of daily life.” It is important that we continue to engrain God’s word in our hearts and lives. When decisions come we already have a firm base. When temptation comes our way we already know the standard. Never forget that the world is in darkness, therefore that means we need a light to venture out. His word should be used personally, practically, and habitually in all our endeavors. James Montgomery Boice declares, “Our nighttime passage through the dark and dangerous journey of this life is illumined by God’s Word, the Bible.”
“How glorious is your Word, O God!
‘Tis for our light and guidance given;
It sheds a luster all abroad,
And points the path to bliss and heaven.”
–Frank Bottome
————————————
“The shadow of the sun and moon in the water seems to shake as much as the water it shines upon. Yet for all this seeming shaking here below, the sun and moon go on in a steadfast course in heaven. So the psalmist tells us that, however our hearts stagger at a promise through unbelief, and our unbelief makes us think that the promise is shaken, God’s Word stands firm, though not in our hearts, but in heaven.”
–Anthony Tuckney
Have you ever doubted God’s word? Does it seem shaky and at times unbelievable? Perhaps it is not God’s word that is shaky, but your faith. In fact, when our faith does shake and may even be shaken by circumstances that when we need to go to God’s unshakeable word. Psalm 119 tells of a personal journey of an individual who strengthens his faith by God’s Word.
.81 — My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word. (NKJV)
— My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. (NIV)
There are times in our lives that we simply must endure, that is when we grasp onto the truths of God’s word. Look at this verse: salvation is needed from enemies; his soul was in need of deliverance, and he was faint, collapsing, caving in, no more strength. There was nothing that could help, no deliverance except to trust in the word of God. His promises are sure! Hope in His word is our anchor; hope in His word increases our persistence. Charles Bridges stated, “We depend not on what we see or feel, but on what the word promises.”
.89 — Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. (NASB, NKJV, KJV)
The ESV and the HCSB translate slightly different, –God’s word is “firmly fixed in the heavens.” That brings assurance, something that I can count on depend upon and place my soul upon. We should never forget what God has been teaching us, in fact, Paul reiterates this when he writes to Timothy and Titus–hold firm to the truth. Spurgeon said, “Jehovah’s Word is not fickly or uncertain; it is settled, determined, fixed, sure, and immovable.” We are to build upon the Rock–the sure foundation where the storms of life cannot sweep them away. “If His Word does not fit with the standards of the world, then the only conclusion for a Christian is that His Word is right, and that the world has got it wrong!” (David G. Pulman)
.105 — Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (NASB, NKJV, ESV, HCSB, NIV, NLT, KJV)
Notice the above, all translate this verse the same! There are a couple of slight changes in the Holman, “lamp for” and “light on”. This is a verse that should give us hope and comfort. Peace emanates from this verse if we take it to heart. Spurgeon says, “One of the most practice benefits of Holy Scriptures is guidance in the actions of daily life.” It is important that we continue to engrain God’s word in our hearts and lives. When decisions come we already have a firm base. When temptation comes our way we already know the standard. Never forget that the world is in darkness, therefore that means we need a light to venture out. His word should be used personally, practically, and habitually in all our endeavors. James Montgomery Boice declares, “Our nighttime passage through the dark and dangerous journey of this life is illumined by God’s Word, the Bible.”
“How glorious is your Word, O God!
‘Tis for our light and guidance given;
It sheds a luster all abroad,
And points the path to bliss and heaven.”
–Frank Bottome