The Lord Who Gave Me Hope

“Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life” (Psalm 119:49-50).

Now, we have entered the new year. Let us all say to each other, “Happy New Year!” From the bottom of my heart, I wish that each one of you in Victory Presbyterian Church experiences a new year filled with even more joy and happiness. We already know what kinds of things will continue to unfold globally in this new year. Because of this, for many people, the new year may not seem as hopeful as it could. Instead, there may be many who, as they enter the new year, are worried and anxious about how they will survive the coming months. For them, this new year could become a year of discouragement and despair rather than hope.

However, you and I must place our hope in the Lord as we enter this new year. The reason is that, even if various economic difficulties may come upon our lives this year, the Lord will give hope to both you and me.

In today’s Scripture, Psalm 119:49, the psalmist confesses, “You have caused me to hope.” Our Lord didn’t only give hope to the psalmist. He has certainly given hope to you and me as well. How has the Lord given us hope? It is through giving us the word of His promises. The Bible is filled with numerous promises from God. Among them, each of us has a specific promise of God that we hold on to. The promise that we, as Victory Presbyterian Church, hold onto is Matthew 16:18: “…I will build my church.” When I think about this promise, just like the psalmist confesses in today’s passage, Psalm 119:50, I too can confess: “This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.” When I meditate on the promise that the Lord will build His body, Victory Presbyterian Church, I am comforted no matter how difficult or painful my heart may be. In other words, when I reflect on the faithfulness of God in His promise, that promise restores and revives my soul, which might otherwise be discouraged or defeated.

As we begin this new year, I pray that the Lord will strengthen each of you even more. I also pray that, just as the Lord has promised, He will strengthen your homes even more. I pray that, in this new year, the Lord will strengthen our church, Victory Presbyterian Church, even more. Although the news tells us that the economy will be even more challenging worldwide this year, I pray that, even in the midst of it, the members of Victory will hold onto the Lord's promises with faith and find hope. No matter what difficulties or challenges may come into our lives this year, let us remember the promises of the Lord and seek comfort in them (verse 52). I pray that the Lord’s promises will revive and refresh our souls, and that this year His work of revival will become even more abundant.

With hope in the Lord,

Pastor James Kim

[Remembering the words: "Rejoice in hope" (Romans 12:12)]