tiqva - hope; longing, expectation; literally, a cord.
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed (crushed), a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you...for the needy will not remain forgotten and the hope of the poor will not perish...Psalm 9:9, 10, 18
In what hole have you found yourself? Crushed by the toils of life? Emotionally destroyed? Afflicted? Weakened? Depressed? Needing help?
All of us have had all of these. Life takes a toll on us.
Our Lord is present to provide a safe place when we have lost all security, when we feel unstable. He can comfort and supply our emotional needs by his presence and then he offers a connection to the future: next steps, next opportunity, helping a person or finding solutions. And he comforts in the meantime.
Praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father of all mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction. We need not bear any burden alone. We need not depend on our own resources, for God has many more to offer.
Hope makes me thankful to know you, Lord, are at work in both situations and in me. You know what you are doing even when I do not. Amen.
