By Bob Hoekstra

      You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word . . . Let my cry come before You, O LORD; Give me understanding according to Your word. (Psalm 119:65, 169)
      Those who live according to God's word will characteristically have this testimony. "You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word." This is true, because the word of God is our comprehensive source of the Lord's direction and of His provision. When God's mercy unto salvation is needed for new life, one must turn to God's word. "Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD - Your salvation according to Your word" (Psalm 119:41). When reviving is needed for those who have new life, one must again turn to God's word. "I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word . . . My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word" (Psalm 119:107, 25). Whatever the need, the Lord invites us to face it according to His word.

      When we do not understand the issues of life that press painfully in upon us, it is again time to run to the Lord and His word. "Let my cry come before You, O LORD; Give me understanding according to Your word." So often, perplexity is our human plight. The word of the Lord can sort it all out.

      When the circumstances around us, or the turmoil within us, bring great distress, it is once again time to rely upon the Lord and His word. "Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant" (Psalm 119:76). What comfort can fill our hearts, as we allow the Lord to speak words of peace and consolation from the scriptures into our lives.

      When our inner man is so burdened that we imagine our spiritual strength is gone forever, we have another great opportunity to seek the Lord in His word. "My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word" (Psalm 119:28). God's living and powerful word can bring strength anew to our weary soul.

      When we are sinking into a sea of despondency, our God and His word are our sufficient remedy. "Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope" (Psa 119:116). His life-giving word sustains us, proving once more that our hope in the Lord is never in vain.

      When we are trapped or bound and need to be set free, God will again rescue us through His mighty word. "Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word" (Psalm 119:170). The Lord is our great deliverer!

      Dear God of the Bible, I praise You for the comprehensive work of Your word in my life. Day by day, please give me understanding, comfort, strength, and deliverance - all according to Your word!