Renewed to Rise, Called to Encourage

Faithfulness in the Fire April 20, 2026 André K. Dugger “Though I have become like a wineskin dried by smoke, I do not forget your statutes. How many days must your servant wait? When will you execute judgment on my persecutors? The arrogant have dug pits for me; they violate your instruction. All your commands are true; people persecute me with lies — help me! They almost ended my life on earth, but I did not abandon your precepts.” Psalm 119:83-87 (CSB) The psalmist paints a vivid picture of suffering: “ like a wineskin dried by smoke. ” In ancient times, wineskins exposed to smoke would become brittle, shriveled, and nearly useless. That is how deep affliction can make you feel; worn down, fragile, and on the brink of breaking. Yet even in such a state, the psalmist clings to God’s Word. His body may be weakened, his enemies relentless, and his days filled with waiting, but his heart refuses to abandon the truth of God’s commands. This is the mark of faith refined by trial; when everything else seems unstable, God’s Word remains unshakable. You may know the weight of such affliction, when lies, opposition, or hardship make life feel unbearable. Like the psalmist, you may cry out, “ How long, Lord? ” This is not a cry of despair but of faith, because it looks to God as the only just Judge and Deliverer. Christ Himself endured slander, persecution, and the threat of death, yet He never abandoned the will of His Father. Through His suffering and resurrection, you are given the strength to endure. When you are pressed, God’s Spirit sustains you. When you feel brittle, God’s Word renews you. When lies surround you, His truth becomes your anchor. Even when life feels as though it is slipping away, you can hold firmly to the truth that “ all your commands are true. ” Affliction may scar you, but it will never separate you from God’s love in Christ (Romans 8:38–39). Reflection Question: When has waiting on God felt long and painful in your life, and how can you strengthen your heart to remain faithful to God’s Word under pressure? Prayer: Father, when I feel worn down and fragile, help me to remember Your statutes. Even when I am surrounded by lies or pressed by affliction, please keep my heart anchored in Your truth. Thank You that Christ endured suffering and remained faithful, securing my hope and strength. Teach me to hold fast to Your Word no matter what comes. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Longing For God's Salvation April 13, 2026 André K. Dugger “I long for your salvation; I put my hope in your word. My eyes grow weary looking for what you have promised; I ask, ‘When will you comfort me?’” Psalm 119:81-82 (CSB) The psalmist captures what many of God’s children experience, the tension between longing and waiting. He aches for God’s salvation, sets his hope firmly in the Word, yet feels the weariness of waiting as his eyes search for God’s promise to be fulfilled. This is a prayer of faith mixed with honest struggle. You may know the promises of God in Scripture and cling to them, yet sometimes the fulfillment feels delayed. Your heart cries out, “When will You comfort me, Lord?” That question is not an act of rebellion but of dependence. It shows that your soul recognizes God alone as the source of true comfort. Waiting on God does not mean inactivity. The psalmist did not abandon hope while waiting, he anchored himself in God’s Word. God’s promises are unshakable, even when your circumstances are uncertain. The delay is not denial; it is an invitation to deeper trust and intimacy with God. In Christ, you find the ultimate fulfillment of this prayer. Jesus is your salvation, your living hope, and your comfort. When your soul grows weary, you can rest in Him who said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, CSB) . Your eyes may grow tired looking for answers, but your faith is strengthened as you keep looking to Jesus, who never fails. God’s comfort may not come in the way or timing you expect, but it will come. His salvation is sure, His promises are true, and His Word will never fail. Reflection Question: In what ways has God’s Word sustained you during seasons of longing, and what practical steps can you take to anchor your hope more deeply in God’s Word? Prayer: Father, I long for Your salvation and I put my hope in Your Word. Even when my eyes grow weary from waiting, help me to trust that You are faithful to fulfill what You have promised. Remind me that my true comfort is found in Christ, who is my salvation and rest. Strengthen my faith to endure and teach me to wait with hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.