Secured on a Firm Foundation {Part 2}
In the Word is a devotional series through various passages of Scripture. Click {here} to read post posts in this series.
Today we are continuing a three-week series of biblical meditations through Psalm 19, which extols the Word of God. When the sufferings of this world seem impossible to bear, there is no secure foundation for the soul other than the Word of God. Feel free to revisit this post throughout the week to meditate slowly on the Word of God.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?”
– John Rippon, 1787
Day 4: To Know What Is Right
“the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart”
Psalm 19:8a
Do you feel like everyone is speak the wrong things to you right now? Nothing others say is right, and it feels crushing. The Bible, on the other hand, is always right; even amidst grief, it is right and good.
The Bible was right amidst my grief when it taught me that the glories of the next world outweigh what I had experienced in this world (Romans 8:18). It showed me that Jesus had compassion and was troubled, even angered, in spirit toward death as those dear to Him grieved Lazarus (John 13:21). It told me that God does work together my sorrows for His glory—and that He is my good (Romans 8:28). It said that from the imperishable seed of death, for those who are in Christ, comes life eternal (1 Corinthians 15:54). It told me that Christ’s resurrection means death no longer has power—and He will make death die at His appointed time (Romans 6:9; Revelation 20:14). It promised me a future without tears (Revelation 21:4). It reminded me that I am simply blessed to be a part of His story for this world (Colossians 3:17; Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:16). It told me that God does not owe me any particular grace or gift for my life or my family, much less my own salvation, because all grace is undeserved (Romans 11:35; Romans 3:24; Acts 15:11)—I have much reason for gratitude. It told me that I have been bought with a price and am not my own, but belong to a great God whose goodness lasts and lasts (1 Corinthians 6:20; Psalm 136:1).
Each building block the Word has placed in my life is a source of tremendous, growing joy (Jeremiah 15:16). My hearts was built for what is right; it is lost and confused when I don’t base my life on the Word of God and when those who speak into my life are not guided by it either. Being without an influx of the truth plus being in the depths of grief can lead to a great amount of darkness and despair that God does not want for any one of us (Matthew 9:36). So, He gave us His Word—to know what is right and to find the joy that comes from the truth.
Day 5: Gaining Light Back in the Eyes
“the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes”
Psalm 19:8b
Do you feel with the psalmist: “My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me” (Psalm 38:10)? The Word of God with its power strengthens the heart and mind; the purity of God’s Word enlightens the eyes—as it is approached with humility. If I came to the Word of God with a stubborn, prideful self-exaltation that I might just know better than it, or presuming I can select only pieces of it to believe (to the exclusion of other pieces), I wouldn’t expect that I would be able to receive very much (James 4:6; Proverbs 9:10).
But if I approach the Word of God humbly, knowing I can bring nothing to God, asking that I might be helped by Him, that I might learn peace through seeing His exaltation and worth—then I will find my eyes enlightened by the Spirit. God is extraordinarily tender and patient; also, He is always just and true.
As part of coming to Scripture, I should expect to be taught about how to abandon my sins—the Lord’s words teach me about what is pure and I am not pure in and of myself (2 Timothy 3:16). I have no reason to believe that personal sin caused my loss (John 9:2-3); separately, I know that sensitive grief also does not make me exempt from the capability to sin. So I am glad to be led to repentance through the Word. Confessing my sins to God brings me closer to knowing Him in my heart, and it makes me more pleasing in my conduct to Him. It enlightens my eyes to the purity for which my heart was made. It refreshes me in His kindness and forgiveness (Romans 2:4), which are the basis for my joyful obedience to Him (1 John 5:3).
When all of our strength is gone, we can ask for His grace and find that this brings a purity into our lives. It gives an assured glow behind the eyes. It gives fuel when all other strength is gone, because the purity of the Word of God is food, without which spiritual starvation occurs. Having a growing hunger for righteousness means you, sister, are blessed by His light (Matthew 5:4).
Day 6: Pivot Toward What Is Enduring
“the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.”
Psalm 19:9
Because Christ bore my sins on the cross and gave grace on the basis of His righteousness, I am freed to love the law, and character of God displayed there, instead of live under the law’s unbearable yoke. I can live out righteousness that endures forever. Rules and righteousness are able to make me thrive under Christ’s yoke (Psalm 1:1-3; Matthew 11:30), because I have been re-wired to love what delights His heart. What does this have to do with grief? There might be a temptation to turn inward, being self-focused, and stay there indefinitely because this is a fragile time in life when the help of others is dearly welcomed. And I hope you find help many times over.
There also comes a time in grief to pivot outward—to ask how you might serve and reflect God to those around you—if you have not yet. See where He leads you as you seek to know and display Him—and I guarantee that it will be toward what is clean, true, good, and right. When King Jesus is on the throne leading my life, I am following and fearing the One who is righteous and reigning forever. In fearing God, I know that my delight is to please Him.
Today might be a day for you to receive from others. Or, if you feel stuck today, perhaps this is what you could benefit from hearing: pivot outward toward serving God and others. You have been given understanding of the depths of sorrow and the value of life because of loss—I imagine you know others who can benefit from your compassion!
The sorrows of this life are not forever-enduring, but righteousness—in which I can walk with freedom through the cross—endures forever.
- Lianna
Hope Mom to Noelle
Lianna belongs to her Lord. She is wed to Tyler and mother of two girls, one who lives in heaven and one who lives on earth. You’ll find her serving with Hope Mommies as Content Director and contributing to Unlocking the Bible.
Are you a writer who would like to join the blog team? Learn more and apply here.
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