Whose Help, Whose Hope
Date: April 18, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study and savor the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse - Psalm 146:5 (NIV) - "Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God."
L - Listen for God's Word and pray - "Dear God, as I read this verse, I am reminded of your great power and might. You are the creator of heaven and earth, and you hold all things together. Please help me to trust in you, knowing that you are in control and that you love me. Give me strength and wisdom for the challenges I may face today, and help me to rely on your goodness and faithfulness. Thank you for your constant care and provision, and may your name be praised forever. Amen."
E - Explore the History and meaning - The book of Psalms is a collection of poems, prayers, and songs that were written by various authors. The author of this Psalm is one of several that is anonymous, we don’t know who wrote it. Psalm 146 is believed to have been written after the Babylonian exile, during the period of Jewish history when the nation of Israel was being reestablished. The psalm was likely intended to be used as a song of praise and thanksgiving in public worship, reminding the people of Israel to trust in God's goodness and sovereignty as they sought to rebuild their nation and their lives.
S - Study and savor the Key Words or Phrases - The key words and phrases in this verse are "help," "hope," "God of Jacob," and "Lord their God." "Help" and "hope" suggest that the psalmist is encouraging readers to put their trust in God as their source of strength and security. "God of Jacob" and "Lord their God" remind readers of God's covenant relationship with the Israelites and his faithfulness to his people.
S - Summarize and Share -
Our hope and trust should never be in earthly things or people, but in the Lord. We will face difficulties and challenges in life, but if we put our trust in God, He will always be faithful to us. It's so easy to get caught up in the things of this world and put our trust in people or things that will ultimately disappoint us. But this verse encourages us to look to the Lord for our hope and security. He is the only one who can truly provide for our needs, protect us, and guide us on the right path. He is the only one who can truly satisfy our souls and give us the peace that we long for.
When we trust in God, we can rest assured that He is in control and that He will take care of us. We don't have to worry about the future or be anxious about what might happen, because we know that God is with us and He will never leave us or forsake us.
Take comfort in this verse and put our trust in the Lord. Make Him the foundation of our lives and allow Him to guide us in all that we do. I assure you, He will always be with us, no matter what we face.
Bible Cross References - Psalm 118:8-9, Psalm 146:3-4, Isaiah 2:22, Jeremiah 17:5-8 - These verses also encourage readers to put their trust in God rather than in earthly powers or human strength.