The Morning Will Come: Finding Hope in SufferingSample

The Gift of Psalm 139

I memorized Scripture for years because people said that’s what Christians do. I began memorizing lengthy passages in college, proud that I knew them, but never connecting them to my everyday life. In fact I didn’t use them for anything. Since I could easily find verses in my Bible, I wondered why people were so hung up on committing long passages to memory.

That is until I walked into Maria’s psych ward. She felt broken and wondered if she’d ever think clearly again. And she wondered where God was in all of this. I had seen her spiral downward for days but didn’t know what was happening until she told me she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

She was thankful to see me, admitting everything was still so overwhelming to her and she couldn’t understand herself or her actions.

I wasn’t sure what to say or pray. Since I’d memorized Psalm 139, it came to me as I sat with her and I started putting her name into the verses. I began “Lord, you have searched Maria, and you know her. You know when Maria sits and when she rises. You perceive Maria’s thoughts from afar. You know when Maria goes out and when she is lying down; you are familiar with all her ways. Even before a word is on Maria’s tongue, you know it completely. ...” (Psalm 139:1-4, NIV)

Maria was gripped by these words. This was hope to hold onto. When I finished the Psalm, Maria and I were both emotional. God knew what had happened and knew Maria better than she knew herself. He knew every thought and every word she’d uttered. And He was with her in her confusion.

Maria later told me that hearing Psalm 139 with her name in it was game-changing. It altered how she viewed her situation. God was in the psych ward with her, even though she felt alone. God was there when her brain was going in a million directions. And God would always be there for her, no matter where she was. She saw that she was fearfully and wonderfully made by Him; God had not made a mistake in her design.

I realized then how much more powerful God’s words were than mine to comfort others. When we memorize Scripture, we offer the comfort of God—words that speak directly and individually to each person. The Scripture I’ve memorized has given me comfort and encouragement, words to pray, and promises to cling to, for myself and for others when we need Gospel hope.

If memorizing Scripture feels boring to you, perhaps you can begin by asking God what to memorize — what passages to hide in your heart so they will be there when you need them.

PRACTICE: Open your Bible to Psalm 139 and read it aloud, personalizing every verse.

Thank you for reading!

This plan was adapted from Watching for the Morning by author Vaneetha Risner. Click here to learn more or purchase your copy.