Fashioned by Your Hands - Jan. 11th, 2026

Title: Faithful in Affliction

Text: Psalm 119:73–80

CIT: The psalmist acknowledged that the Lord’s judgments were right and that God had afflicted him in faithfulness. He prayed for God’s merciful comfort, for understanding of His commands, and for the fellowship of those who fear God, all while remaining devoted to God’s statutes.

Proposition: Because God is faithful even in our trials, we should trust His purpose in our afflictions, seek His comfort through His Word, and remain faithful to Him together with His people.

Purpose: Supportive – I want my hearers to find encouragement in God’s faithfulness during their afflictions and to respond by trusting His Word for comfort and by seeking fellowship with other believers for strength.

Introduction:

Psalm 119:76 KJV

76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

When hard times hit, many people question God’s goodness. Suffering can shake us, and we may wonder, “Why would a loving God allow me to hurt?” Yet the Bible offers a different perspective. In fact, the writer of Psalm 119 makes a startling declaration: “I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me” (v.75). Imagine that – he sees God’s hand of faithfulness even in his affliction! This man understands that the Lord has a good purpose in the trials He allows.

In the previous stanza (Psalm 119:65–72), the psalmist said it was good that he had been afflicted, because his suffering taught him God’s statutes. Now in verses 73–80, he continues that theme. He humbly acknowledges that the same God who formed him is the one refining him through trials. He prays for God’s comfort and understanding in the midst of pain. He also hopes that his response will encourage other believers and draw them together. Through it all, he remains committed to God’s Word. In this passage, the Holy Spirit shows us how we too can be faithful in affliction – trusting God’s hand, relying on His mercy, and standing together with His people.

I. Recognize God’s Hand in Your Affliction (vv. 73–74)

EXP:

Psalm 119:73 KJV

73 JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

A. God’s sovereign creation (v.73a):

The psalmist begins,

Psalm 119:73 KJV

73 JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

He acknowledges that the Lord is his Creator. God intimately formed him, like a master craftsman shaping clay. This is a comforting reminder that none of our trials are by accident – we are in the hands of the One who made us. (Fittingly, the Hebrew letter heading this stanza is Yodh, meaning “hand,” pointing to God’s hands at work.) Because God formed him, the psalmist trusts that his life – even his suffering – is under God’s deliberate care.

B. Seeking God’s wisdom (v.73b):

He pleads, “give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.” Knowing God has a purpose, the psalmist wants to learn from his affliction. He asks God to teach him what the Lord intends through this trial. This is a humble prayer for insight: “Lord, help me understand Your Word and will in this situation.” Instead of resenting his troubles, he asks God to use them to deepen his understanding of Scripture.

C. Encouraging fellow believers (v.74):

In verse 74 he notes,

Psalm 119:74 KJV

74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

His faithful response to suffering becomes a testimony to others. When godly people (“those that fear Thee”) see how he trusts God’s Word in hardship, it brings them joy and encouragement. He recognizes that his hope-filled endurance can strengthen others’ faith. In God’s design, our trials are not just about us – they can inspire fellow believers who witness our hope in the Lord.

ILL: I remember going through a severe personal trial years ago when I fell ill unexpectedly. At the time I was weak and confused, struggling to see any purpose in the pain. But I clung to God’s Word for dear life, trusting His promises even through tears. In hindsight, I can see how the Lord’s hand was shaping me during that season – teaching me lessons I couldn’t have learned otherwise. Not only that, but other church members later told me they were encouraged by watching my faith during that illness. My affliction, hard as it was, became a means for God to build up both my own walk and the faith of others who feared the Lord.

APP:

We need to adopt the same perspective in our trials. First, remember who made you. If God’s hands formed you, then He has a wise design for every circumstance you face. Remind yourself that you are the work of His hands – He knows exactly how to fashion your life for good, even when it involves suffering. Next, instead of asking “Why me?”, ask God what He wants you to learn. Pray, “Lord, give me understanding through this. Teach me more of Your Word and Your ways.” Approach your Bible with an open heart, expecting God to speak to you in your pain. Finally, realize that your response to affliction can inspire others. When you continue to hope in God’s Word, other believers take heart. Your faith under fire shows them that God is real and His promises are sure. So determine to be a godly example in trial – someone whose hope in the Lord spreads gladness in the church.

TS:

Recognizing God’s hand in our afflictions changes our attitude. We begin to see suffering as part of His plan and even a platform to witness to others. But that alone isn’t easy – we also need God’s comfort to sustain us. Next, the psalmist shows us the importance of relying on God’s faithful love when we hurt.

II. Rely on God’s Faithfulness for Comfort (vv. 75–77)

EXP:

A. Trusting God’s righteous discipline (v.75):

The psalmist declares confidently,

Psalm 119:75 KJV

75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

He knows – he is convinced – that God’s decisions (“judgments”) are correct, even when they include hardship. Any affliction he faces is not a sign of God’s failure but of God’s faithfulness. The Lord is treating him justly and lovingly, perhaps disciplining him for his growth (as a caring father would). It takes a mature faith to say that. Instead of charging God with wrong, he affirms that God is faithful in allowing this trial for a good purpose.

B. Praying for promised comfort (v.76):

Yet the psalmist is honest about his need. He prays in verse 76,

Psalm 119:76 KJV

76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

He appeals to God’s “merciful kindness” (Hebrew hesed – the Lord’s steadfast love and covenant mercy). In effect he says, “Lord, let Your loyal love be my comfort, as You promised in Your word.” He knows God’s Word contains promises of consolation for His servants, so he pleads for those tender mercies to become real to him. This is not a lack of faith – it is faith in action. He believes God is compassionate and asks to experience that compassion personally to relieve his sorrow.

C. Depending on God for renewal of life (v.77):

Psalm 119:77 KJV

77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

Feeling drained by affliction, he asks for God’s tender mercies to revive him – to give him life again. Only the Lord’s gracious touch can sustain his soul. Notice, he isn’t looking to worldly relief; his delight is in God’s law. Even in pain, he finds joy and strength in the Word of God. Essentially he prays, “Lord, I am holding onto Your law which I delight in; please give me the life and strength I need through Your mercy.” His continued delight in Scripture is what fuels his hope that God will bring him through.

APP:

In our own afflictions, we too must trust God’s faithfulness and seek His comfort. Settle it in your heart that God is good and just even when life hurts. Tell Him, “Lord, I know You haven’t made a mistake. You are faithful in what You’re allowing.” That confession guards your soul from bitterness. Then, like the psalmist, pray for God’s comfort. Go directly to the Lord and ask Him for the relief that His merciful kindness provides. Don’t be ashamed to cry out for His grace; He invites us to come boldly for mercy in time of need. Lean on the promises in His Word – find verses that remind you of His care. As you delight in Scripture, God will use it to revive your soul. Many believers can testify how a specific Bible promise became their lifeline in a dark hour. Cling to God’s Word, because it will feed you hope and keep you going when you feel you have nothing left. Indeed, God’s tender mercies will meet you and sustain you, just as He has promised.

TS:

Even as we trust God for comfort, trials often involve opposition from others and the challenge of keeping our own hearts right. In the final verses, the psalmist turns his focus to those around him and to his personal integrity. He shows us how to respond toward enemies and friends in our affliction – and how to stay faithful ourselves.

III. Respond with Faithfulness and Fellowship (vv. 78–80)

EXP:

A. Enduring injustice God’s way (v.78):

The psalmist prays,

Psalm 119:78 KJV

78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

He has adversaries (“the proud”) who wronged him without cause. Rather than seeking revenge, he turns it over to God: “Lord, let the proud be brought to shame for their actions.” He trusts God to handle justice. As for himself, he resolves to stay focused on God’s Word: “I will meditate in thy precepts.” Even when attacked, he chooses the path of faithfulness — occupying his mind with Scripture instead of plotting retaliation. By remaining tethered to God’s precepts, he finds stability and guidance while he waits for the Lord to vindicate him.

B. Seeking solidarity with the godly (v.79):

Next he prays,

Psalm 119:79 KJV

79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.

In his affliction, he longs for the fellowship of other godly people. “Those that fear Thee” are believers who revere God. He asks that they would turn to him – in other words, rally around him and stand with him. Suffering can be isolating, so he prays that others who love God’s Word (“who know Thy testimonies”) will come alongside him. He knows there is strength in numbers – strength in the faithful community of God’s people. His desire is not to face the trial alone, but to be encouraged by others who fear the Lord.

C. Pursuing a blameless heart (v.80):

Finally he prays,

Psalm 119:80 KJV

80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

His concern is that his own heart remain “sound” – that is, blameless and wholly devoted – in obeying God’s statutes. He wants to come through this trial with integrity intact, not straying from God’s Word. A sound heart here means a heart undivided and faithful to God’s commands. If he stays true to God, he will have no reason to be ashamed. The real shame for a believer would be to abandon God’s law under pressure. So he asks the Lord to keep him steadfast in obedience, so that when it’s over he won’t have any regret or disgrace. This is a prayer for personal holiness: “Lord, keep my heart true to Your Word through this, so I won’t fall into sin or bring dishonor to Your name.”

APP:

When we’re afflicted, we should handle both our enemies and our own conduct in a godly way. If people mistreat you “without a cause,” don’t let anger or despair consume you. Commit the situation to God’s hands; let Him deal with the proud in His time. Your job is not to get even, but to keep doing right. Like the psalmist, determine: “I will meditate on Thy precepts” – in other words, stay focused on God’s Word, not on the hurt. Immerse your mind in what God says, rather than stewing over what your attackers have done. Next, don’t isolate yourself in suffering – seek the fellowship of other believers. Let “those that fear God” come alongside you. Share your burdens with brothers and sisters in Christ who know His testimonies. We truly need the encouragement and prayers of God’s people in our trials. Finally, make it your prayer to stay faithful through the trial. Ask God to keep your heart blameless in obedience. Trials can tempt us to compromise or give up, but resolve that you will cling to God’s statutes until the storm passes. If your heart remains true to God’s Word, you will have no regret or shame later. By God’s grace, you’ll come through the fire refined, not ruined – and your steadfast faith will shine as a testimony to others.

Conclusion:

Affliction, as painful as it is, can actually deepen our relationship with God. When troubles come, remember that you are in the Creator’s hands – the same loving hands that made you are molding you through every trial. Trust that God’s faithfulness has not failed; He disciplines and refines those He loves. So instead of growing bitter or defeated, run to His Word and draw comfort from His promises. Let His tender mercies revive your soul. And don’t walk through suffering alone – lean on the family of God. We are meant to strengthen one another, rejoicing together in hope. If you are hurting tonight, God is calling you to a deeper trust. He invites you to experience His faithfulness in a new way. Will you trust Him in your affliction? Surrender your pain to the Lord’s purpose. Seek His face in Scripture and prayer. Stand shoulder to shoulder with your fellow believers. By God’s grace, you can be faithful in affliction – and when you are, you’ll find that He was faithful to you all along. Let’s take heart and commit ourselves to these truths, so that in the end we too may say, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted,” and give glory to our faithful God.