PRACTICAL WAYS TO PLACE YOUR HOPE IN GOD’S WORD

PS 119: 114 (NKJV) – Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

When things get tough, we can go to Him and He will keep us safe and be a place of refuge. When life gets hard and you have difficulty trying to keep going, remember that you can always go to God and He will be your place to get recharged and feel better about life

It expresses our deep trust and reliance on God, seeing Him as a hiding place and a shield. It also emphasizes that God’s word is a source of hope.

In the New Covenant, the Word became flesh—Jesus is the living Word (John 1:14).  –  there is nothing of greater value than the Word of God

Our hope is not just in promises written on scrolls, but in the eternal, living Word—Jesus Himself and His grace-filled promises

Under grace, Psalm 119:114 means: “Lord Jesus, You are my place of safety and my protector. I don’t rely on my own strength or religious efforts—I place my hope in You, the Living Word, and the promises of grace You’ve made to me.”

God still invites us to come to Him during long seasons and challenging circumstances. And one of the best ways to draw closer to God is by spending time in His Word. His words connect our hearts with His truth and remin us of His faithfulness.

So here are five steps you can do right now to help you pause, rest, and place your hope in God every day.

1.PREPARE YOUR HEART

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114 NIV

Start your quiet time by reciting this Psalm, and then write out your concerns and worries. Visualize putting everything that’s competing for your attention into a box, and then giving that box to God.

2.ASK GOD TO SPEAK TO YOU

Before you dive into Scripture, ask God to help you understand His Word, and show you how to apply Scripture correctly to your life. He promises to give us His wisdom when we ask for it.

3.UNPACK THE PASSAGE

When was the passage written? Who was the intended audience? What is the main theme? Are there any repetitive words and phrases (if so, why)? What does the passage show you about God and other people?

Read through the passage several times, each time answering a different question. Pay special attention to any phrases or ideas that continue to stand out to you.

4.SUMMARIZE THE SCRIPTURE

Spend several minutes asking God to show you the truths in His Word, and then write down 1-3 key takeaways from the passage. This will help you process the insights God shows you.

5.EXERCISE THE APPLICATION

Write out 2-3 ways you want to practically apply the Scriptures you’ve studied, and then regularly check your progress. You can even turn your goals into Prayers.

Once you have finished meditating on Scripture, spend a few minutes in silent reflection, and then throughout your day reflect on all that you have processed.

Under grace, God Himself, through Christ, becomes our refuge and protection, not a temple, law, or ritual. Jesus is our spiritual hiding place (Colossians 3:3 – “your life is hidden with Christ in God”). As our shield, Christ has already defeated sin, death, and the devil (Colossians 2:15). We are shielded not by our works, but by His finished work on the cross. Amen.