In the midst of Psalm 31, where the psalmist expresses his deep trust in God despite difficulties and tribulations, a message of encouragement resonates that still resonates with great power today: "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.".
These words are not a stoic exhortation to repress emotions or deny challenges. Instead, they recognize the reality of the suffering and trials that life can present. However, they offer a radically different perspective: the hope that comes from faith in God.
The strength to which the psalmist invites us does not come from ourselves, but from the Lord. It is He who, in His infinite mercy and power, sustains the hearts of those who trust in Him. It is He who transforms our weakness into strength, our fear into courage, our desperation into hope.
This verse reminds us that true strength does not lie in our self-sufficiency or personal power. Instead, it is in our vulnerability, in recognizing our limitations and our dependence on God, that we find true strength. It is when we admit that we need help that we open ourselves to the saving power of the Lord.
Hope is the light that guides our steps in the darkness. It is the belief that even when things seem difficult or hopeless, God is at work and will bring His good plan for our lives to fruition. Hope pushes us not to give up, to persevere in faith even when the test seems insurmountable.
This morning we want to pray together saying: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your infinite love and for the strength you give to those who hope in You. At this moment, we turn to You with tired and tried hearts, aware of our fragility in the face of life's challenges.
We ask you to pour your power and courage upon us. Help us to root our faith in your Word and find strength in it. Teach us not to falter in the face of difficulties, but to always trust in your promise of support and victory. May our hearts be firm and strengthened in hope, so that we can face every trial with your strength and bear witness to your love to the world. In the Name of Jesus... Amen!
With love, Ivano Salerno