Words of Hope Daily Devotional
Not Alone
Read: Psalm 34
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted. (v. 18)
When I was 21, I was diagnosed with a mental illness. The diagnosis stung. I knew God created me, yet I was ashamed. I prayed, but I couldn’t understand why God didn’t heal me. During one hospitalization in my 30s, I memorized Psalm 34, and its promises challenged and comforted me. I knew that God was near to me. Over the years, although I’m not healed, I’ve become stronger and more able to manage the ups and downs of my life. When we’re troubled or burdened, God answers our prayers by going through our struggles with us (Isa. 43:2).
In Psalm 34, David tells us that though we will see troubles, God is near to the brokenhearted (v. 18). He is watching over us and is listening to our cries (v. 15). He will protect us and deliver us (v. 7). David calls us to take a bite of God’s goodness (v. 8)—to try for ourselves by our own experience and find out exactly how satisfying God is. God takes care of our every need (vv. 8-10), provides us with life (vv. 11-15), carries us through troubles, and saves us from our enemies (vv. 17-22). If we try to know the goodness of God in our trials, we’ll know his care and provision.
In our brokenness, God reminds us—do not fear. There will be times where we might not feel close to God, but that doesn’t change his provisions and his promises. He is with us, and he will lead us through.
As you pray, ask how you can experience God more fully.
About the Author
Ariana D. Den Bleyker is a Pittsburgh native currently residing in New York’s Hudson Valley. She is the author of two devotional poetry collections,To Be Held by the LightandWaking in the Light. She is an ordained deacon in the Reformed Church of America.
The God Who Keeps Us
Read: Psalm 121 My help comes from the LORD. (v. 2) When my son was eight weeks old, he stopped breathing. After dozens of hospitalizations and through the passing years, I still find myself afraid for him. I still find
The Silence and Salvation of God
Read: Psalm 22 Remember and turn to the LORD. (v. 27) When I was seven years old, my father abandoned me after my parents divorced, but I couldn’t stop loving him or longing for him. Many of us feel similarly
How Long, O Lord?
Read: Psalm 13 I have trusted in your steadfast love. (v. 5) There have been times in my life when I felt deep despair. It felt like the world was crushing me, like everything was more difficult than it should
Joy to the World
Read: Psalm 98 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! (v. 4) Every year at Christmas, we sing the lyrics “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” Two
Biblical not Textual
Read: Luke 24:13-35 Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (v. 27) A pastor in a rural village in India took the Word of God very seriously and
Guilt to Gratitude
Read: Romans 8:27-39 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (v. 32) How do you respond to God’s gift of